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May 2, 2006
For immediate release

May 16, 2006 Census Day

Provincial Treasury

In the Legislature today, Provincial Treasurer Mitch Murphy informed the Members that on May 16, 2006, Canadians will take part in our country’s next census, 340 years after the first census was taken in New France. Between May 2 and May 13, census questionnaires will be delivered to more than 50,000 households in Prince Edward Island. Islanders will have the option of completing and returning their questionnaires on-line at www.census2006.ca or by mail.

“The census collects information about every man, woman and child in Canada,” said Minister Murphy. “The answers from each census form are combined to create statistical profiles of age groups, communities and other topics of interest. The completed forms are kept strictly confidential; only Statistics Canada employees – sworn to secrecy – can see completed forms.”

In his remarks to the House, Minister Murphy noted that census results are important to Canada and particularly important to the Province of Prince Edward Island. “Funding formulas for major federal transfer payments to provinces are based, in part, on population counts. Every person not counted in the census will result in lost dollars to the province and, therefore, lower funding for essential programs.”

Minister Murphy also stated, “In addition, this Province uses census information in planning and monitoring programs in such areas as health care, education and income assistance. Answers to questions about age, language, housing, education, occupation and ethnic heritage will provide valuable insight into our country and our province.”

Results from the Census of Agriculture, to be carried out at the same time as the Census of Population, are also used in a variety of federal and provincial crop, livestock and land management programs.

The Provincial Treasurer conculded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of the 2006 Canadian census to the Province and urging every resident of PEI to count themselves in on May 16, 2006.

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Media Contact: Island Information Service
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