By Cheryl Jahn

Census forms are back

May 5, 2021 | 1:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Yellow envelopes from StatsCan are starting to appear in mailboxes across the country. It is time to fill out the census, something that is done every five years.

And for municipalities, having accurate information about the population is critical.

“It’s so important for everybody in our community to fill out the census form,” says Mayor Lyn Hall. “It will then get us the opportunity to receive transfer funds from the federal and provincial governments around a multitude of things. Health care is one of them, transportation, equation. There’s a number of areas where we benefit where we see a greater increase in our population.”

Take the gas tax. It is $3.1 million the City receives each year to be spent on things like roads and sidewalks. The amount of money is totally determined by the population and the federal government only knows a community’s population through the census.

Colour Walk

Month-long walking challenge hits halfway point

1h ago

Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan

Sikh community puts final touches on this weekend's Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan

1h ago

Aboriginal Housing Society

Aboriginal Housing Society project on hold

2h ago

But other organizations use the census information as well, such as non-profit organizations. The census paints a picture of who lives in a community. Has there been an increase in the seniors’ population, for example. That information could help ensure adequate services are in place to serve the needs of that particular demographic.

So when the yellow envelope turns up in the mail, take five minutes to fill it is out.

by Cheryl Jahn

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

Census forms are back

What's Trending