Chris Clegg
South Peace News
The recently completed Canadian census is not drawing a very positive response from McLennan town council.
“This damn census was a joke!” stated Councillor Sue Delaurier at council’s June 14 meeting.
There was no objection from any members of council.
“I agree,” said Councillor Dwayne Stout.
Census forms not being delivered to homes, or at least not attached securely to doors allowing them to blow away in the wind, were expressed.
Council wanted to know if other communities in the region felt the same but had no answer.
“As a community, maybe we should get together and write [a letter],” suggested Delaurier.
“I don’t know how we should address that but we should,” she added.
Years ago, McLennan asked for a “redo” with a second census adding about 100 people to the population. Because many grants are based on population, it was a tremendous financial benefit to the Town.
However, the population number may be a moot point, at least provincially. CAO Lorraine Willier told council that effective in 2022, the Alberta government is moving from municipal census counts to provincially developed population estimates.
The idea did not sit well with Councillor Terry Calliou, who said less estimates on population was “money saved” by the Jason Kenney led government. The federal government still uses census numbers.