Northern Village Not Concerned With Census Count

Northern Village Not Concerned With Census Count

Thursday, March 15, 2007 at 14:51

An official with the Buffalo Narrows Economic Development Corporation says he’s not worried by recent census figures that indicate the village population is on the decline.

Doug Eddy says the survey was carried out at a time when development in the area was not as high as today’s levels.

He says the upcoming economic boom in the area, due to the impending road link to Fort McMurray, has prompted local investment — and people are starting to arrive in the community.

Statistics Canada figures released earlier this week show that the population in the northern village dropped roughly five per cent from 2001 to 2006.

Eddy says he hopes the government considers when the numbers were taken, since it uses the census data for reference.

Census 2006 spokesman Larry Deters admits it’s surprising to see less people in Buffalo Narrows, given the circumstances. However, he speculates the population decline might be attributed to people leaving the northern village for jobs in Fort McMurray.