Ottawa, ON (Rural Roots Canada) – Farm operators across Canada will soon be asked to take part in the 2026 Census of Agriculture, with questionnaires scheduled to go out in May.
Conducted every five years by Statistics Canada, the census gathers key data about farms and agricultural production across the country. Officials say the information helps governments, industry groups, and rural communities better understand the state of Canadian agriculture and plan accordingly for the future.
The Census of Agriculture has been providing a detailed snapshot of the sector since 1921. According to StatsCan, the information helps guide farm support programs and agricultural policy, supports economic planning and stability in the sector, and informs emergency responses to events like natural disasters. The data is also widely used in research and agricultural advocacy.
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Farm operators will receive instructions in the mail on how to complete the census questions when it launches in May. The questionnaire can be filled out online through the official census website. Operators will use a secure access code included in the mailed materials to access and complete the survey.
StatsCan says the participation of farmers from coast to coast to coast is essential to ensuring the data accurately reflects Canada’s agricultural sector.
More information about the 2026 Census of Agriculture is available at the census website.
