North census March 3

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The 1986 Northern Census of Canada, which will b carried out in the Northern Yukon, parts of the Northwest Territories, Nouveau Quebec, and the coast of Labrador, will begin on March 3.

This early enumeration of Canada's population in northern communities is undertaken by Statistics Canada prior to spring break-up, and before many of the residents move to summer fishing and hunting camps. Over 40,000 people were enumerated during the 1981 Northern Census.

"Canada's Northern Census is truly a formidable challenge covering a land area of about one-third of Canada," says Stewart D. McInness, the minister responsible for Statistics Canada. "To complete their assignments, Census representatives will travel between northern communities by snowmobiles and small planes. In many communities, translators fluent in a variety of Native dialects will assist respondents and Census representatives in completing the Census questionnaire.

The most northerly community being visited by Census representatives is Grise Fiord, which looks south to the Northwest Passage. Residents in the communities of Whitehorse in the Yukon, and Yellowknife, Pine Point, Fort Smith, Hay River, Paradise Garden, and Enterprise in the Northwest Territories, are not enumerated during the Northern Census, but complete their Census questionnaire on Census Day, June 3, 1986.