Census 2018, which will be conducted starting April 9, is the first census to be completed since the 2016 wildfire.
The census will provide new insight into both the permanent and shadow population of our region and how it was affected by the wildfire.
The municipality is looking to find out where people lived prior to the wildfire and if they moved because of it.
Other changes to this year’s questionnaire include the addition of disability status, ethnicity and Canadian citizenship.
By including Canadian citizenship, it gives the municipality an idea of how many eligible voters there are in the region. The information will not be used for any purpose.
The municipality also added transgender as an option in an effort to be more inclusive and understand the diverse population of Wood Buffalo.
Mayor Scott said this is the most important census for our region as it will re-establish the baseline to accurately project expected changes in the population of the region.
“It’s essential we capture an accurate snapshot of our region, and for that, we need your help.”
For every person counted in Census 2018, more than $200 of grant money will be provided to the municipality by the federal and provincial government.
This grant money will go towards funding projects that improve our community.
Letters are being mailed to all households with a PIN on the top right of the page, which is needed to complete the census online.
By taking the census online, your household will not be visited by census takers, who will begin door-to-door counts on April 16.
Census 2018 ends June 30.
