Sandra Dunham
Once again! If you are not religious, select “no religion” on your 2026 census.
In 2021, we brought you a Critical Links article on the challenge of Canada’s census question on religion, and we are back to remind you of it. The census question essentially asks about your parents’ religion. A group of humanist and secular organizations are working to change this question, which has historically been asked every 10 years. We hope that by 2031, we will have a new question that asks about a person’s current religious identification. However, it came as a surprise to learn that this question will show up again in 2026.
What’s the issue? The language in question is:
What is this person’s religion?
Indicate a specific denomination or religion, even if this person is not currently a practising member of that group.For example, Roman Catholic, United Church, Anglican, Muslim, Baptist, Hindu, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish, Greek Orthodox, etc.
For additional examples of denominations and religions, visit www12.statcan.gc.ca/religion-e.
- Specify one denomination or religion only
or
- No religion
We encourage people who are not religious to select “no religion.” Furthermore, we encourage people to discuss this question with others.
Discussion point: government, politicians and businesses all use responses to this question to set direction. If the number of religious people is exaggerated because of the language used in this question, decisions will continue to be made that favour religiosity. Decisions such as maintaining religious educational institutions, allowing religious healthcare facilities to set policies and programming based on religious tenets and saying prayers before public meetings.