Today, Statistics Canada released population counts for the 2001 census, including results for the Northwest Territories and our communities. In our view, the census numbers are wrong and do not accurately reflect the population of the Northwest Territories.
The census is done by the federal government every five years and provides critical information about the Northwest Territories and our communities. This information is important to our government and to communities to help design programs and services for residents of the Northwest Territories. I would like to thank all residents of the Northwest Territories for their cooperation with the census specifically and more generally with surveys that are done in our communities.
One of the purposes for which the census results are used is to help establish population levels that are a significant aspect of the formula funding arrangement between the territorial government and the federal government. However, it is important to note that these are not the numbers that will be used in our funding formula. In addition to the census population, Statistics Canada also completes studies that estimate the number of people missed by the census. This estimate of missed people and the census count is what is used to determine our funding levels.
Even though these numbers are not the final population estimates, the results released this morning from the 2001 census do cause significant concern for our government. Statistics Canada reports that, based on census counts, the Northwest Territories population declined by 5.8 percent between 1996 and 2001. This result is contrary to other indicators for the Northwest Territories. Although there was a period where some out-migration was apparent in 1997 and 1998, the increased activity related to diamond mining, in addition to natural gas activity in the Beaufort-Delta and Deh Cho areas, would seem to suggest the Northwest Territories is not a place in population decline. These indicators, along with concerns raised by the GNWT at the time of the census collection, cause me to have some serious doubts about the accuracy of the population counts from the census.
I have directed the Bureau of Statistics to request that Statistics Canada conduct a detailed review of census operations in all communities in the Northwest Territories. This review should help identify areas where this census may have had deficiencies. Further, my department will be closely monitoring Statistics Canada's work on the coverage studies to ensure that an accurate estimate of the people missed by the census is developed for use in our funding arrangements. Finally, we plan to complete our new population counts in selected communities to help assess the quality of these counts. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.