Canada Government Hiring Alert: 32,000 Open Jobs, PR Pathways Possible – Check Your Eligibility Now!

Highlight: Canada Announces 32,000 Census Jobs in 2026 for Work Permit Holders

• Statistics Canada has announced 32,000 job vacancies for foreign workers as part of the 2026 Census of Population.
• The minimum hourly wage for most roles will increase to CAD 31.32.
• Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and professionals with work permits are eligible to apply for the roles.
• The hiring window will remain open from March to July 2026, with specific roles having recruiting from February 2026.
• Some supervisory roles (crew leaders) may also contribute to the total Canadian Experience Class (CEC) work hours that count towards PR eligibility. 
   

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Statistics Canada to Offer Jobs to 32,000 Foreign Workers for 2026 Census

Canada is about to begin a large-scale recruitment drive for census jobs in 2026, hiring 32,000 foreign workers at Statistics Canada. These will be short-term government roles to conduct nationwide data collection and field operations, offering full-time paid jobs in both urban and remote regions of the country.

Indian students, temporary foreign workers, and professionals already living in Canada can apply for the latest census hiring drive. Any valid Canadian work permit holder may participate in the recruitment process, in addition to Canadian citizens and PR holders. This makes the hiring drive, commencing in March 2026, an active federal government initiative for temporary residents.

Recruitment for the majority of job vacancies will be conducted between March and July 2026, while the hiring process for certain roles in northern remote communities will begin early in February. Job vacancies are available at both entry-level and supervisory levels, with paid training, flexible working hours, and authorized expense reimbursements, including mileage and parking.

Also, read…

Canada Announces 5,000 Extra PR Spots for French-Speaking Applicants - Apply Early!
 

2026 Statistics Canada Census Jobs: Who Can Apply and What Positions Are Open?

Statistics Canada has provided a comprehensive eligibility guideline for the 2026 Census job drive. To qualify for an application, you need to have a valid work permit in Canada and currently reside in the country.
 

Applicants eligible for the Census roles

You can apply for the Census job drive if you have:

• Canadian citizenship, permanent residence, or a valid work permit.
• Local home address in Canada.
• Have reached the age of majority in your province or territory (18 years in most provinces; 19 years in others).

The application process is initiated online, requires two valid professional references, and is completed in around 10 minutes. The application deadline is July 31, 2026, and upon selection, the candidates will be informed of the vacancy's availability in their region.
 

Available Census Jobs in Canada and Average Salary

Enumerator – CAD 25.87 per hour

An enumerator is assigned the task of collecting census data through door-to-door visits.

• Minimum 20 hours per week
• Enumerators generally need to work evenings and weekends.
• The employment period will be valid from May to July 2026
   

Crew Leader – CAD 31.32 per hour

Crew leaders monitor and manage a team of enumerators for efficient data collection.

• The average work hours are 40 per week, including weekdays and weekends.
• Employment period runs from March to July 2026.

The candidates selected by Statistics Canada must complete mandatory paid training. Workers can claim authorized expenses such as mileage and parking. While some roles are open for assistant and support staff, the majority of the roles comprise responsibilities of an enamurator and crew leader.
 

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Can Census Jobs in Canada Streamline PR Pathway?

Indian professionals aiming for permanent residency in Canada through Express Entry can particularly benefit from the latest census drive in the country in the following way:

• Enumerator roles fall under TEER 4 (NOC 14110) but do not qualify for CEC.
• Crew Leader roles fall under NOC 12113 (TEER 2) and qualify for CEC.

To qualify for a CEC, you need to have at least 1,560 hours of skilled work experience within three years. Census jobs in Canada are short-term, but working 30 hours per week from March to July 2026 as a crew leader earns up to 660 eligible hours, adding to existing Canadian job experience and contributing to streamlining the streamlined PR pathway.
 

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How working at Statistics Canada can help Indian Professionals to Move Closer to PR

The latest census job recruitment is more than a temporary job opportunity for Indian professionals living in Canada. Being a paid Canadian work experience, it streamlines PR eligibility for foreign workers. Indians with a valid work permit or post-study work visa can gain stability, local exposure, and easier eligibility for the Canadian Experience Class.
 

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Canada immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy.
 

For recent Canadian immigration updates, check out the Y-Axis Canada Immigration News Page.

 

FAQs

Who can apply for Statistics Canada census jobs in 2026?

Statistics Canada census jobs are open to individuals who are legally allowed to work in Canada. This includes Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and valid work permit holders currently residing in Canada. Applicants must have a Canadian home address and must have reached the age of majority in their province or territory, which is 18 years in most provinces and 19 in others. This eligibility makes the 2026 Census hiring particularly attractive for Indian students, post-study work permit holders, and temporary foreign workers seeking short-term employment with a government agency.

Are work permit holders eligible for Canada’s 2026 Census jobs?

Yes, work permit holders are eligible to apply for Statistics Canada’s 2026 Census jobs, provided their work permit is valid during the employment period. This is a rare opportunity, as many federal government jobs are limited to citizens and permanent residents. Eligible work permit holders can apply for both non-supervisory and supervisory roles, depending on their experience. For Indian professionals and graduates already in Canada, this opens access to paid government work experience while continuing to stay compliant with immigration rules.

What types of jobs are available under Statistics Canada census hiring?

Statistics Canada is primarily hiring for two roles: enumerators and census crew leaders. Enumerators are responsible for collecting census data through door-to-door visits, while crew leaders supervise enumerator teams and manage field operations. In addition, some regions may hire assistant and support staff for operations and data handling. However, most of the 32,000 vacancies are expected to be for enumerator and crew leader positions. These roles are temporary but provide paid employment, training, and valuable Canadian work exposure.

What is the salary offered for Statistics Canada census jobs?

Census jobs under Statistics Canada offer competitive hourly wages. Enumerators are paid approximately CAD 25.87 per hour, while crew leaders earn up to CAD 31.32 per hour. In addition to hourly pay, selected candidates receive paid training and may be reimbursed for authorized work-related expenses such as mileage and parking. These wages make census roles financially attractive for students and work permit holders seeking short-term income while gaining Canadian work experience with a federal agency.

When does the hiring and work period for census jobs take place?

The main hiring period for Statistics Canada census jobs runs from March to July 2026. However, recruitment for certain regions, particularly northern and remote communities, may begin earlier, starting in February 2026. Employment periods vary by role, with crew leaders typically working from March to July 2026 and enumerators working from May to July 2026. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as selections depend on local hiring needs and availability in specific geographic areas.

How do I apply for a 2026 Statistics Canada census job?

Applications for census jobs are submitted online through Statistics Canada’s recruitment system. The application process is simple and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Applicants must provide basic personal information and details of two professional references who can speak about their work experience. The final deadline to submit an application is 31 July 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, depending on hiring requirements in their area, and some roles may require an interview and security screening.

Can census jobs help me qualify for Canada PR through CEC?

Some census jobs may help eligible candidates build work experience toward the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), which is part of the Express Entry system. Supervisory roles such as census crew leaders fall under a skilled TEER category and may count toward CEC requirements if the job duties match the official NOC description. However, non-supervisory roles like enumerators are classified under lower TEER levels and do not qualify. Census work alone may not meet the full CEC requirement but can help top up eligible work hours.

How many work hours from census jobs can count toward CEC?

CEC requires 1,560 hours of skilled Canadian work experience, which can be accumulated through full-time or part-time employment. If eligible, census crew leaders working up to 30 hours per week from March to July 2026 could accumulate approximately 660 hours toward the CEC requirement. Even if candidates work more than 30 hours per week, only 30 hours can be counted. This makes census work a useful supplement for individuals already accumulating skilled Canadian work experience.

Do census jobs require interviews and training?

Not all census roles require interviews. Supervisory positions such as crew leaders usually involve an interview process, while non-supervisory enumerator roles may not. However, all selected candidates must complete mandatory training before starting work. This training is paid and helps workers understand census procedures, data collection methods, and confidentiality requirements. Candidates may also undergo security screening before final selection, as census work involves handling sensitive personal information of Canadian residents.

Why should Indian professionals consider applying for census jobs in Canada?

For Indian professionals and students already in Canada, census jobs offer a rare combination of paid government employment, flexible short-term work, and potential PR benefits. These roles provide Canadian work exposure, stable hourly income, and, in some cases, eligible experience toward CEC. For those on post-study or employer-specific work permits, census jobs can support career continuity while strengthening long-term PR plans. It is a practical opportunity to earn, learn, and strategically move closer to permanent settlement in Canada.