It's that time many people dread, or wish would just go away, the time to fill out the census forms which have arrived in homes across Canada recently.
The forms themselves detail the reasons for the census in its brief message from the Chief Statistician of Canada.
"The census has always provided a portrait of our people and the places in which we live. The 2011 Census will continue this tradition," states the message.
The portrait the census provides is a critical one, especially in determining local populations, numbers which are often used as the basis for paying per capita grants to the local municipality.
Yorkton Mayor James Wilson reminded those attending a recent Yorkton Chamber of Commerce meeting where he was speaker of the importance of residents taking the time to fill out the forms.
As an example Provincial Operating Grants to the City of Yorkton for the next five years are based on the 2011 Census results.
A City of Yorkton advertisement details how not filling out the form can have a significant impact of the flow of dollars to the municipality.
"Currently the City of Yorkton receives $187.20 per person from the provincial government through Municipal Operating Grants. In 2006, we estimate that 2,000 Yorkton residents were not counted - this amounts to $374,400 in lost revenue annually for the City of Yorkton. The Census is conducted every five years - total revenue loss over five years based on 2,000 residents not being counted would amount to $1,872,000. By not completing your Census form, the City of Yorkton taxpayers could need to make up this shortfall through the annual tax levy or by cutting services."
In addition, "Your information may be used by Statistics Canada in support of our other surveys or for analysis," stated the Chief Statistician message.
"Census information is important for your community and is vital for planning services such as schools, daycare, police services and fire protection."
When you consider the impact the numbers can have, taking the time to fill out and return the forms is something we should all take as a serious responsibility of citizenship.
And as the Chief Statisticians also detailed, "By law, every household must complete a census questionnaire. By the same law, your responses will be kept confidential."
