Municipal Census

Contact Information Website: www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/census Email: census2012@woodbuffalo.ab.ca Phone: (780) 793-1059 Municipal Census Office 9717 Franklin Avenue Fort McMurray, AB Monday – Friday 8:30am – 10:30am, 5:00 – 8:00pm Saturday 10:00am – 3:00pm Sunday closed

Why a Municipal Census?

A municipal census provides timely statistical data about the region and its residents. Census data is used by the Municipality for decisions associated with land use and development as well as regional service delivery. The Municipality also relies on updated data to generate and validate demographic growth forecast. The census data is also valuable for local public sectors, private sector businesses, industry, and associations that have an interest in current census data for activities such as workforce planning.

Municipal Census Goals & Objectives

The Municipality has conducted municipal censuses regularly over the last decade, with the latest census in 2010. This year the Municipality will conduct an important effort to get detailed data about demographics in order to enhance the municipal databases used to guide decision making on public service delivery. In addition to the regular census demographic scope, the Municipality will focus on pursuing a better understanding of the shadow population, by directing a survey in the Project Accommodations closely attached to the oil sands industry.

Why should you participate?

The Municipality gets $60 per person in grant funding from the province for social programs and services, construction and improvement of roads and infrastructure, and other community projects. In order to receive adequate funding, it’s important that you’re counted.

When does the census take place?

The Municipality is conducting its municipal census between April 30 and June 30, 2012.

How is it going to work?

Starting April 30 2012 residents will be able to go online and complete their census. If you can’t go online and complete the census before May 10, you can expect a visit from an enumerator.

Responding Online 

• To reply to the census online, visit www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/census on or after April 30.  Replying online is quick and easy.

Unable to Respond Online

• Those homes that have not replied to the census online can expect a visit from an enumerator between May 10 and June 30. Enumerators will make several attempts to reach you. If an enumerator visits your home while you’re away, he or she will leave contact information to ensure that your census data is collected. 

What can people expect when an enumerator comes to their door?

Enumerators wear ID with the Municipal Census Logo. The enumerator will ask you 13 questions and we do not anticipate that it takes more than a few minutes to answer.

Example of the questions: 

• Gender
• Month of birth
• Marital status

How do we ensure privacy of information?

Names are not collected in the municipal census. Responses from individual homes will not be available to anyone. The population count and some aggregate information about neighbourhoods and demographic trends will be public information, available free of charge.

 

What is the role of an enumerator and how can you become one?

1. Duties

• Attend mandatory training.
• Plan your work by reviewing assignment area to determine organization of neighborhoods and locate households for conducting census.
• Conduct census interviews with residents in assigned areas by following set guidelines and procedures, and confidentiality laws.
• Explain the purpose of the census interview, answer residents’ questions, and input census data into handheld device.

2. Pay and incentive for census enumerators

• TBD

3. Required qualification for census enumerators

• Wood Buffalo resident
• 18+ year of age
• Physically able to walk long distances and read maps
• Well organized, self-motivated, friendly, and energetic
• Able to work flexible hours, including days, evenings and weekends

4. How to apply to become an enumerator

- Interested parties are encouraged to do one of the following options:  

• Email the census team at census2012@woodbuffalo.ab.ca with your full name, home address, postal code, and phone number and member of the census team will contact you.
• Call the Census Office at: 780.793.1059
• Drop into the Office during office hours noted below –

Municipal Census Office
9717 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB

Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 10:30am, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Saturday, 10:00am – 3:00pm

5. Part-Time Census Clerk Positions available

• If being a census enumerator is not for you, there are part-time positions available to work in the Fort McMurray Municipal Census Office. Please contact the Census Office for more information.

Anyone requiring additional information is invited to contact:

Brendan Proce 
Communication Department
(780) 743-7022

Francisco Bermejo
Planning and Development
(780) 788-1677