Census returns are official records that count the country's population. They are an invaluable source of information for researchers.
General census guide
Help for researchers to learn about different kinds of census records
Census Search
Search Canada's census records all in one database
Early census and related documents, 1640 to 1945
A guide to early census and related documents found at LAC
Pre-Confederation, 1825 to 1867
Census records taken before Confederation
Dominion of Canada, 1871 to 1931
National censuses taken after Confederation
Prairie Provinces Census, 1870-1926
A closer look at the development of the prairies