WHEREAS Statistics Canada has recently released the preliminary Census figures for municipalities and electoral areas for the Census that was conducted in the spring of 2006; AND WHEREAS there is a general feeling that the preliminary numbers are not representative of the numbers based on the statistics provided by the Province of British Columbia, building statistics, utility connections and other information available to member municipalities and electoral areas: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM be urged to petition the federal government and Statistics Canada for a review of the Census taking process to ensure the accuracy of the preliminary numbers.
STATISTICS CANADA In respect to resolution B161, I would like to correct a misconception that Statistics Canada releases preliminary census counts. This is not the case. Statistics Canada releases one set of population counts from the census and these were released in March 2007. I would like to correct the misconception that the numbers are not representative of the numbers provided by the Province of British Columbia. Statistics Canada works closely with BC Stats, and according to Mr. Don McRae, Director of BC Stats, we have full confidence in the methodology and quality control measures applied by Statistics Canada in the conduct of the 2006 Census, these represent the gold standard in enumeration, and users should not directly compare them to estimates from other sources. A number of factors have to be carefully considered in comparing the results of the Census with those from other sources. First, it is important to note that the Census uses a de jure method to count people, that is at their usual place of residence, and does not include people in the community on a temporary basis-such as students, transient works, or those staying for short-durations in seasonal dwellings. This method ensures that people are counted once and only once at their usual place of residence. Second, Statistics Canada conduct a series of coverage measurement studies after each Census to estimate the number of people missed in the Census. The BC Stats numbers are based on the 2001 Census data adjusted for persons missed in 2001, and for populations change obtained from administrative records hydro connections since 2001. Statistics Canada has been informed that BC Stats will align its 2006 community population estimates with the 2006 Census once estimates of net census undercount are released by Statistics Canada in fall 2008. Third, BC Stats participated in the certification of the 2006 Census results, taking into account differences between sources of information in the definitions, methodology and data sources used to determine the population of a community. In very rare cases, a community may have serious concerns with the Census results, even after factoring the definition usual resident population and potential adjustments for missed persons. Statistics Canada is willing to review the results of the Census, based on a formal request for such an action by the concerned community, when supplied by clear substantiation in the form of: - administrative records for example, assessment records, utilities customer addresses, building permits, elections lists, or - recent local census counts As is the case after each Census, Statistics Canada is currently conducting a series of coverage measurement studies, which will estimate the small number of missed population in the 2006 Census. Their results will be included in the estimated figures released in the fall of 2008. The Department of Finance uses the population estimates that include adjustments made as a result of the coverage measurement studies to calculate federal transfer and equalization payments to the Provinces and Territories.