Census sticker
The Town of Stony Plain will administer a municipal census from April 15 to June 15, 2010, in order to determine the official population of the town and access grant funding to continue making the community viable into the future.
“It is extremely important that we have an accurate population number of our community, so we can enhance planning that will strengthen and expand community programs and services,” says Ken Lemke, mayor of Stony Plain. “Census data compiled will help elected officials and Town administration to make important decisions that affect all residents.”
Federal and provincial governments often use official population numbers to calculate the amount of funding available to the Town for public services.
The Town has retained the services of Edmonton-based Banister Research and Consulting, Inc. to manage the 2010 census. The firm was awarded the nearly $50,000 project because of its extensive experience, competitive bid and resources offered, including a 1-800 Call Centre for residents and enumerators,100% staffing and proven electronic data compilation with high-quality control.
The short census will only ask for information about the gender(s) and age(s) of the occupant(s) in each household.
For the first-time in the Town’s history, residents will be able to submit their information online. This convenient service eliminates the need for each household to be contacted at home. Census enumerators will only attend homes where an online response was not received. If a response is not generated online or through home visits, Banister Research will contact residents by telephone to garner the required information.
A demonstration of the online census will be available at the Town of Stony Plain’s exhibit at the 2010 Tri- Municipal Tradeshow from April 16 to April 18, 2010 at the Trans-Alta Tri-Leisure Centre in Spruce Grove. The demo will also be available at the Town Office throughout the census period.
The Town has mailed to all residences an information package, which details the three ways to submit census information:
- Online: Beginning April 15, residents can use their unique PIN number, which is included in the information letter, to log onto the Census webpage: www.banister.ab.ca/StonyPlainCensus2010 (the site is also accessible from the Town’s website: www.stonyplain.com)
- In-person: Starting May 1, Banister Research enumerators will make door-to-door visits to those households that do not complete the online census by April 30
- Telephone: Those households that have not provided their census information online or during the door-to-door visits will be contacted by telephone
Stony Plain citizens can contact the Banister Research Call Centre (designated census line) at: 780.447.3490 or Carol Schofield, Town of Stony Plain’s manager of administration, at 780.963.8589 for more information.
The official population of the Town of Stony Plain is 12,363 (2006 Federal Census), a 28.5 per cent increase since the 2001 federal census of 9,589. The last time the Town administered a municipal census was in 2008. Taking into account the occupied dwellings with residents who did not respond to the 2008 census, the Town’s estimated 2008 population was 14,028.
Social Equity and Economic Viability
Initiating the 2010 Municipal Census demonstrates the Town’s commitment to social equity by developing and maintaining a community that is focused on creatively meeting the needs of residents through the promotion of equality, wellbeing, safety citizen participation and involvement. The census also promotes economic security and equity through the efficient and innovative use of resources that considers the needs of current and future generations.
Social Equity and Economic Viability are two of the four core values of the Community Sustainability Plan, which governs how the Town of Stony Plain conducts business.
[Source: Town of Stony Plain]
