OBJECTIVES: As effective management of DM improves clinical outcomes, quality of care initiatives are being undertaken in many jurisdictions. In the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), data were collected on healthcare received by those with DM. The objective was to characterize the demographics of, and care received by, a contemporary population of adult Canadians with DM; and assess whether care quality varied according to age or sex.  METHODS: Data from the subset of 2012 CCHS adult respondents (n=61,707) asked about diabetes care were analyzed. Demographic and clinical characteristics were tabulated, and respondents classified as receiving quality diabetic care if they had HbA1c or foot exams during the past year, and retinal exams within two years. Predictors of receiving quality care were explored using logistic regression, and the frequency of physician visits and hospitalizations compared between those receiving, or not receiving, quality care.  RESULTS: Of the diabetes care cohort (n=2,458), 48% were male, and 75.1% were ≥60 years. Eighty percent had a recent HbA1c test, and 69.2% and 55.2% had a recent eye or foot exam, respectively. Thirty-eight percent reported receiving quality diabetes care. While results were similar by sex, some variability was observed by age. The percentage receiving quality care ranged from 30.4% (≥80 years), to 40.1% (60-80 years). Age was the only significant predictor; the odds of receiving quality care were lower among those aged ≥80 years. The frequency of physician visits and hospitalizations did not vary according to receipt of quality care. CONCLUSIONS: While some guideline monitoring was conducted for most respondents, less than half reported receiving all aspects of recommended diabetes care. Because these data were self-reported, respondents may have received recommended evaluations but been unaware. Opportunities may therefore exist for improving the diabetic care of patients, and their awareness of that care.