# 2026 Canadoper Café is now open! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212 "2025-12-31T18:06:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/61 "2026-05-06T22:45:22Z")
The longer census had some odd questions. Utility bills? Mortgage payments? Municipal taxes? ---
**Author:** ![Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slight_Off_Hand)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/62 "2026-05-07T10:58:55Z")
I got the short form. Quick and easy! ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/63 "2026-05-07T16:22:03Z")
I’m not going to get one, not living in Canada at present. I’m curious, though - I’ve heard from a few Humanist friends who are encouraging people to check the ‘No Religion’ box in the section dealing with religious affiliations. Is this a change from previous years? (Did any of you notice?) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/64 "2026-05-07T18:31:04Z")
My short form didn’t even ask about religion. Just number of people, gender (identity and assigned at birth) and languages spoken. ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/65 "2026-05-08T00:49:30Z")
Same here, did my own and for a friend who’s not computer literate, short form in both cases. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/66 "2026-05-08T11:32:53Z")
The radio reports that Mark Mulroney (2nd youngest son of former PM Brian) may be in the running for the Conservative leadership. He is currently global vice-chair of CIBC. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/67 "2026-05-09T16:22:21Z")
Huh! I’d only ever heard of the Ben Mulroney and Caroline Mulroney. On the census - there have been lots of photos on social media of right-wing trolls writing ‘Return to Sender’ on their census forms, because of grievances or something. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/68 "2026-05-09T16:35:08Z")
And if anyone wants to help out puzzlegal with some Montréal recommendations, have a look at this thread - [Visiting Montreal early July](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-montreal-early-july/1029914) ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/69 "2026-05-09T16:37:13Z")
> [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > On the census - there have been lots of photos on social media of right-wing trolls writing ‘Return to Sender’ on their census forms, because of grievances or something. [The common clay of the new west](https://youtu.be/hYTQ7__NNDI?si=0dAkBz6QxXoQZoTO) ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/70 "2026-05-09T17:23:04Z")
Apparently, that line was improvised, completely taking Cleavon Little by surprise… ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/71 "2026-05-09T17:26:19Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Oh, and it must be completed by May 12th Thanks for the heads-up. With electronic invoicing on almost everything, and package delivery mostly by courier, I don’t check my community mailbox very often and would likely have missed the deadline! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/72 "2026-05-10T00:03:51Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > The radio reports that Mark Mulroney (2nd youngest son of former PM Brian) may be in the running for the Conservative leadership. He is currently global vice-chair of CIBC. Does anyone seriously think that the son of Brian Mulroney, possibly the most hated PM in living memory, is a terrific choice for the Conservative leadership? Especially in light of the legacy of nepotism that Justin left behind, even though Pierre arguably was a pretty decent PM. > [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](#): > > On the census - there have been lots of photos on social media of right-wing trolls writing ‘Return to Sender’ on their census forms, because of grievances or something. Good, I’d like to see them removed from the voting rolls and from all social benefits that they’re likely receiving, since they apparently don’t exist. Or else heavily fined, since census completion is legally mandatory, and though one might be able to plead mistakes or ignorance, willful avoidance is inexcusable. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/73 "2026-05-10T01:18:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > > [@Spoons](#): > > > > Oh, and it must be completed by May 12th > > Thanks for the heads-up. With electronic invoicing on almost everything, and package delivery mostly by courier, I don’t check my community mailbox very often and would likely have missed the deadline! Thanks again to @Spoons and others. I was gratified that the mailing I got seemed very small, so I assumed the short form, but it turned it out wasn’t a form at all, but just a login ID to the online census site. I just used it a few minutes ago, and mercifully it was just the short form, and took almost no time at all to complete! It didn’t actually specify what species of form this was, but since it asked only a very few basic questions, I assume I lucked out with the short form. Honestly, I would not have had much patience with lengthy convoluted questions about my finances! ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/74 "2026-05-10T02:54:04Z")
I got the short form too, my 88 year old mother received the long form. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/75 "2026-05-10T03:02:40Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > I got the short form too, my 88 year old mother received the long form.   According to StatsCan, 25% of Canadian households randomly get the long form. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/76 "2026-05-10T12:31:28Z")
I’ve been to Canada a number of times; probably more than most all non-Canadians on this board. The first time was with my parents when we drove down the AlCan Highway in 1959 to visit relatives in Montana and Oregon. The road was unpaved between Dawson and the Alaskan border then. Since then, I’ve driven that highway twice, the most recent in 2009. We drove the Top of the World Highway from Alaska to Dawson City and the Dempster Highway to Inuvik. We visited Vancouver Island. And we took a French language immersion trip to Quebec City. It’s a huge and diverse country. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/77 "2026-05-10T12:56:01Z")
I did my census (short) form last week. Sadly, I’ve forgotten enough spoken French over the years that I had to admit I couldn’t hold a conversation in it. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/78 "2026-05-10T13:23:27Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I did my census (short) form last week. Sadly, I’ve forgotten enough spoken French over the years that I had to admit I couldn’t hold a conversation in it. Oh well.   Same for me. As a kid I was pretty fluently bilingual (actually, passably trilingual) but I had to admit that today English is the only language I could reasonably converse in. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2026, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/79 "2026-05-11T14:15:30Z")
Depending on where you live, it can take some serious effort to maintain your French language skills. And it can depend on how important it is to you. I have a number of friends in Québec (City) whom I’d be very sorry to lose touch with, and so, I write to them in French quite often. I read, I listen to Québécois music, I visit as often as I can, but I used to find the opportunities to work on French while I lived in Toronto were, uhh, limited is the polite way to put it. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212/80 "2026-05-12T01:33:28Z")
Both my kids did French immersion all the way through to grade 12. #1 daughter just finished 3rd year at McGill and almost never uses her French. #2 daughter starts McGill in September, I suspect she will use it more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2026-canadoper-cafe-is-now-open/1026212.md?page=5)