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Statistics Canada started the census count with about 15.5 million dwellings, but some will be unoccupied, which won’t be counted in the response rate.

The agency is aiming for a minimum response rate of 98 per cent for all communities. Statistics Canada is hoping to complete the census data collection by the end of July.

There have been repeated general reminders that Canadians must fill out the census.

“It is mandatory to complete the ‪#2016Census. Complete yours today!” Statistics Canada has tweeted.

The agency is reaching out to mayors and other municipal officials in communities to try to improve the response rate, Hamel said. Also, about 20,000 enumerators are going door-to-door across Canada following up with households that haven’t completed their census.

“We are having a very successful census, but the main point here is to get the highest response possible for every community in Canada,” he said.

So far, no one has officially refused to fill out the census, he said.

The Statistics Act includes a $500 fine or up to three months in prison for refusing to fill out the survey or for providing false information. The exact penalties for refusing to complete the census are decided by the courts.

If cases emerge of refusals to complete the census, they may be referred to the public prosecution office and then the courts decide how they want to deal with it, Hamel said.

Statistics Canada conducts a census every five years.