The 2006 Census counted 31,612,897 people in Canada during the national enumeration with reference day May 16, 2006. This count is lower than the published July 1, 2006 population estimate of 32,623,490 people. The difference between the two figures is not unexpected and is similar to the one experienced in the 2001 Census. For more information on the reasons for the difference, please refer to our detailed explanation.