The primary purpose for conducting the Census is to produce an accurate population count. This count provides the basis for calculating per capita grants received by the City of Edmonton. These grants represent a substantial amount of money and improve the quality of life for Edmontonians. It also allows the City of Edmonton to plan for future programs and services.

Questions related to diversity and multicultural backgrounds are beneficial when looking to meet the needs of all citizens of Edmonton.

This information provides important data for studies related to housing policies and programs.

This information assists in the development of programs, fee assessments, outreach and grant efforts and helps to inform Council Initiatives such as the Plan to End Homelessness and Poverty elimination.

The City’s services, and how the City gets information on their services out to citizens, needs to keep pace with citizen expectations.

The City’s services, and how the City gets information on their services out to citizens, needs to keep pace with citizen expectations.

Only the online census can accommodate a written response.

Gender-specific information is essential in any population analysis, and makes other characteristics more meaningful in research and planning. This information helps flag possible changes in migration patterns or the influence of the labour market.

Canadian citizenship is a qualification to vote in municipal elections. This question assists in determining the number of eligible voters and in determining the location and number of voting subdivisions.

The additional options of permanent resident/refugee/other help to plan for programs and services offered for new Canadians or new residents arriving to the City of Edmonton.

The City of Edmonton uses this information for election planning purposes. The School Districts require this information to determine needs within their school systems. In Edmonton we confirm residency for the Edmonton Public Schools, Edmonton Catholic Schools and the Francophone School Division.

Knowledge of age distribution is required to plan programs and facilities for schools, recreational centres, senior citizens and housing requirements. Age information is needed to determine overall human resource potential. Other characteristics of the census are much more meaningful when studied in conjunction with age. The school districts also use this information to project student enrolment at a district-wide level as well as at a school by school grade level and their facility requirements.

This information indicates changes in the composition of households, and is required for planning and forecasting purposes.

This question measures work-related activities and studies labour resources and labour markets of Edmonton.

This question helps to supplement data from the National Household Survey conducted by Statistics Canada, will assist in the development of programs and services and will report on citizen quality of life factors.

How long a person has resided in their residence tells the City about residential stability of its population.

The information collected is to be a comparison of Edmonton's employment distribution by sector to that of Canada. This information is tied to measure progress in the city's strategic documents known as The Way Ahead.

This question is used to determine modes of transportation from neighbourhoods to work locations. This information assists the City with trending which helps them plan for future transportation requirements.

This information will assist in long range transportation and land use planning.

The online portion of the Census will run from 8 am April 1st to 8 pm April 30th. Door-to-door collection of census data commences on April 15th. However, all census questions will be asked of the household as it was on April 1st. This will ensure data consistency with previous census'.

In July 2011, City Council passed policy C520B. The policy states that the City of Edmonton will conduct a biennial Census starting in 2012.

Residents of all municipalities use public services such as schools, roads, recreational facilities, emergency services, police services and libraries. Current, reliable census data is an essential tool to consumers which enables them to anticipate and adapt to change. Basing decisions on constantly updated demographics results in more appropriate use of revenue and resources. It also allows consumers to be proactive in their response to multiple demands, shifts in priorities and rapid changes that the future will bring.

The City will only receive grants for the people identified in the Census. Likewise, City Staff can only plan and deliver services for the people they know are out there. Ensuring you are counted is an important step in helping municipal services get to you and your family.

All Census Workers will present City-issued identification. We would encourage you to confirm their identification before you answer questions.

Any resident has the right to refuse to answer the Census questions. However, it is in the best interest of Edmontonians that every individual be counted. To be missed from the Census means that Edmonton misses out on much needed per capita grant funds used for service delivery, as well as the information required to make informed decisions on the use of the funds.

The first time a Census Worker comes to a residence and finds no one home, the Census Worker will leave a Call Back Notice. The Call Back Notice will provide the Census Worker's name, a contact phone number and a reference number - and a request to contact the Census Worker as soon as possible.

All census information provided online is encrypted during transmission and is stored in a secure database located in Canada. The amalgamated information provided from all households is transferred to the City's Census Reporting System for long term management and data report generation purposes. the retention of the information is in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Reports generated on areas of the City with a population between 1 and 49 are always reported as zero.

During training, Census Workers are instructed on the importance of ensuring the information being collected is protected. Census Workers are aware that the census information provided cannot be shared with anyone other than a member of their census team (Area Supervisor, Ward Coordinator, and Census Office Staff). Each Census Worker signs a Statement of Census Worker to reinforce these expectations.

Following the completion of the Census, amalgamated information provided from all households is transferred to the City's Census Reporting System for long term management and data report generation purposes. The retention of the information is in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Reports generated on areas of the City with a population between 1 and 49 are always reported as zero.

Call the Elections and Census Office at 780-496-8008

If your household has not received a post card from the City of Edmonton containing instructions for completion of the online census within the first few days of the online census option, call the Elections and Census Office at 780-496-8008.

You must ensure that the PIN is typed in exactly as it appears on the post card from the City of Edmonton. Remember: the PIN is case sensitive.

If you continue to have problems please call the Elections and Census Office at 780-496-8008.