Don’t Let the Census Mislabel Your Beliefs- Check No religion
Campaign warns census wording could blur the true picture of belief and culture in Canada
The Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association (KASHA), alongside humanist organizations across Canada, are launching a national campaign urging Canadians to accurately report “no religion” on Census.
In the 2026 Canadian Census long-form questionnaire, Question 30 asks for the respondents to write in the religion they were raised in. This question requests a specific denomination or religion such as Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, or others, even if the person is not currently a practicing member.
The question primes the answer to favor stating a religion instead by asking a question about your status from the past and not your present status.
The If You’re Not Religious, Say So campaign encourages people who no longer believe in a religion to reflect their current identity, and not their upbringing when answering Question 30 on the long form. Checking the No Religion box confirms one’s true identity.
Advocates say the wording of the census question risks muddying the waters by emphasizing childhood religious and cultural background, potentially overstating how many Canadians are actually following religious doctrine and practices today.
“People participate in cultural traditions for all kinds of reasons like community, family, or just good food,” says Nina George of KASHA and the Racialized Humanists Association. “That doesn’t necessarily mean they follow religious doctrine and rituals. Attending a wedding and having fun with decorating henna on your hands does not make one religious. Going to cultural events does not make one religious. You can show up, celebrate, and still not believe in a divine being, or follow those strict religious rules.”
George adds that the concern is not trivial. “When a question leans toward how you were raised instead of the real you now, the data can miss the mark. Many Canadians were raised religious, but no longer identify that way.”
In Kelowna, the shift is already clear. According to the 2021 Census, 54% of Kelowna residents reported no religious affiliation. KASHA says this number is low and very likely does not present an accurate picture of current demographics in the city. The problem is the ambiguity of the question on the census. The question asks what religion you were raised in, instead of what you believe in presently.
Why does it matter? Because census data doesn’t just sit on a shelf, it shapes decisions.
“In Kelowna, taxpayers subsidize millions of dollars of religious property owned by rich and powerful religious organizations. These organizations often fund religious anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ crusades outside the city and internationally.” George notes. “At the same time, critical community needs like day care properties pay full property taxes, remain underfunded and in short supply. Accurate data helps ensure public policy reflects today’s reality, not yesterday’s assumptions.”
The campaign is simple: read the question carefully, and answer based on your current identity. If you’re not religious, say so. Check the box that is the real you – No Religion!
More information from other secular groups
Good-without-God-box
Center for Inquiry – Outing Canada’s Ghost Religious Population
BC Humanist – Tick No Religion Campaign
Racialized Humanist Association Kelowna – More Information HERE
Campaign Strategic Objectives
Data Accuracy – Reduce the “legitimacy gap” between census affiliation numbers and actual religious practice. Educate public on the “Scientific Method” and “Phantom Parishioner.” Focus on “Data Integrity” and how the “even if not practicing” clause is a form of statistical priming.
Policy Impact – Undermine the demographic justification for religious privilege in education (e.g., separate school funding) and tax law (e.g., “advancement of religion” as a charitable purpose).
Cultural Shift – Normalise “No Religion” as a positive, honest identity for the millions of Canadians who find meaning in secular life.
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