Statistics Canada’s 2011 census takes place in May and the District of 100 Mile House is reminding folks about the importance of completing the census forms.
100 Mile Mayor Mitch Campsall says people need to realize a lot of the government grants that come into the community, both for the regional district and its member municipalities, are directly related to the census.
“For every person who doesn’t fill out their forms, this community loses money. We need to fill out the census.”
This year’s changes to the census format, which include a new National Household Survey (NHS), have made answering some of the questions voluntary that were formerly mandatory.
The information previously collected by the long-form census questionnaire will now be included in the voluntary NHS, but Campsall says this data is crucial to the planning and delivery of federal, provincial and local government programs directed at target populations.
The mayor adds the information is also vital for ensuring funding for fire protection, policing, schools, family services, day-care centres, housing, roads and public transportation.
The CRTC recently used Statistics Canada’s 2006 Census to review the population of 100 Mile House in its decision to turn down an FM radio licence.
The mandatory census questions now cover only basic demographic characteristics, such as age, sex, marital and common-law status, household relationships and mother tongue.
District Coun. Mel Torgerson says completing the census forms that come in the mail should not be confused with the issue of avoiding identity theft by giving out personal information.
“We’re coming up to the Stats Canada census and I think people are going to be hesitant and that really, really affects our statistics.
“It’s got to the point where [some] people are paranoid.”
Torgerson, who also manages Carefree Manor, notes the statistics from the census are also a key to planning for seniors’ facilities and for obtaining the funding they need to operate.
More information on the upcoming census and NHS is available online at www.census2011.gc.ca.
