Municipal Census FAQ
- Why does the City need to conduct a census?
- Why should people participate in the census? Why is it important?
- What can people expect when a census worker comes to their door?
- How long will it take to answer the questions?
- How is the City protecting privacy of information provided?
- How will people who are not at home be included in the census?
- What about people who are in the process of moving?
- Is the census being carried out in Edmonton only?
- Will homeless people be counted?
- Will you count hotels and motels?
- When will the results be released to the public?
- 1. Why does the City need to conduct a census?
The city is growing and changing fast. We need up-to-date facts.
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Many grants from other orders of government are calculated on a per capita basis. We need an accurate count of our population to maximize those grants.
- We need to know how the city is growing and changing to plan city services now and in the long term.
- We use this information to ensure ward boundaries are set to ensure fair representation by population.
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- 2. Why should people participate in the census? Why is it important?
The City will only receive grants for the people identified in the census. Likewise, City staff can only plan and deliver services for the people they know are out there. Ensuring you are counted is an important step in helping civic services get to you and your family.
- 3. What can people expect when a census worker comes to their door?
Census workers wear photo ID with the City of Edmonton logo. Only basic demographic information will be asked such as the age and gender of each person living in the residence and whether the home is rented or owned.
- 4. How long will it take to answer the questions?
Only four questions will be asked in this year's census, so it will take just a few minutes to answer the census questions.
- 5. How is the City protecting privacy of information provided?
No data on any individual residence will be released. Reports will be released to the public that describe neighbourhoods, wards and the entire city.
- 6. How will people who are not at home be included in the census?
If census workers do not find residents at home, they will leave a call-back notice instructing residents how they can have their information included in the census.
- 7. What about people who are in the process of moving?
The census is a count of all people who live in Edmonton on April 1. Information will be based on where people are living on that day.
- 8. Is the census being carried out in Edmonton only?
Each municipality chooses when to conduct a census and runs each one independently.
- 9. Will homeless people be counted?
Census workers will gather information from Edmontonians living in shelters and other temporary lodgings on April 1. City staff will also try to identify anyone who does not seek temporary shelters that day.
- 10. Will you count hotels and motels?
Census office staff are responsible for identifying every Edmonton resident. They will inquire in all hotels and motels whether there are any persons using suites as permanent residences. Census Area Supervisors will stop at businesses to check whether there are living-quarters on the premises.
- 11. When will the results be released to the public?
The results will be released to the public by early summer 2009.
For more information:
Election & Census Services
16304 - 114 Avenue
Edmonton, AB
T5M 3R8
| Telephone | 780-496-8008 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 780-944-5916 |
| electionandcensus@edmonton.ca |
