Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The time has come again where representatives from Statistics Canada have fanned out across the Northwest Territories to complete the national census.
The Government of Canada is required to conduct a census of the population every five years. Historically, the census has been composed of two mandatory parts. The “short form” questionnaire which includes questions on a number of people in the dwelling, their age and gender, and information on languages, and the “long form” questionnaire which looked at more detailed subject areas such as Aboriginal identity, education, housing and employment. For 2011 the federal government has eliminated the mandatory long form for the census and replaced it with a voluntary survey called the National Household Survey.
It is important that residents of the NWT complete both the census and the National Household Survey for a number of reasons. Many national and territorial programs use population estimates based on the census to distribute funding, including the territorial financing formula. Since each person counted in the NWT yields approximately $28,000 per person per year from the federal government, it is important to all Northerners that every person is counted in the census so that we can continue to deliver programs and services. NWT residents need to ensure that they include all members of their family in the census, including those who are away at school or working in the mines or anyone else staying with them with no regular home.
Completing the National Household Survey is also important as it helps us understand how our communities are doing with respect to education levels, employment patterns, housing conditions and income. These statistics are the foundation for community planning, monitoring programs, developing policies and identifying emerging issues.
I want to take this opportunity to encourage all residents of the Northwest Territories to complete both the census and the National Household Survey, and I ask my colleagues to promote this important initiative in their constituencies.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of the Northwest Territories for participating in the census and the National Household Survey. These important sources of community information would not be available without the cooperation and goodwill of our residents.
Thank you, Mr. Roland. The honourable Minister responsible for Health and Social Services, Mr. Miltenberger.
