Municipal Census Regulation

(no amdt) alberta regulation 88/2023 Municipal Government Act MUNICIPAL CENSUS REGULATION Table of Contents 1 Interpretation 2 Municipal Census Manual 3 Census rules 4 Shadow population 5 Review of census results 6 Change in geographic area 7 Use of census data 8 Expiry Interpretation 1 (1) In this Regulation, (a) “census day” means the date chosen by a municipal authority as the census date, occurring within a census period in which an enumeration is conducted, which can be a date prior to the start of enumeration; (b) “census period” means a 3‑month consecutive period beginning on a date that is on or after March 1 and ending on a date that is on or before July 31 of the same year; (c) “municipal census” means a population count of the total number of individuals whose usual residence is in a municipal authority, conducted in accordance with this Regulation; (d) “shadow population” means the temporary residents of a municipal authority who are employed by an industrial or commercial establishment in the municipal authority and who have worked at least 120 hours for that employer in the 3-month period immediately preceding census day; (e) “temporary resident” means a person who resides in a municipal authority on census day but whose usual residence is located in another municipal authority or a place outside Alberta. (2) For the purposes of this Regulation, the “usual residence” of a person is a location within a municipal authority with a residential street address or physical address that (a) is the main dwelling site of the person on census day, and (b) is the place where the person lives and sleeps and to which, when the person is absent from it, the person intends to return. (3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), (a) the “usual residence” of a person who has been in an institution, such as a correctional institution or hospital, for less than 6 months is deemed to be the place that was the person’s usual residence before the person entered the institution, and (b) a student who (i) is in attendance at an educational institution within or outside Alberta, (ii) is residing in a place temporarily for the purpose of attending an educational institution, and (iii) has family members who are usually resident in Alberta and with whom the student usually resides when not in attendance at an educational institution is deemed to reside with those family members. Municipal Census Manual 2 The Minister, by order, shall issue a Municipal Census Manual and may amend the Manual from time to time. Census rules 3 (1) A municipal authority that wishes to conduct a municipal census must (a) notify the Minister’s department by February 28 of the year in which the census will be conducted that the municipal authority will be conducting a municipal census and whether the municipal authority will count the shadow population of the municipal authority when conducting the census, (b) choose a census period and census day before beginning enumeration, (c) ensure that the person in charge of the census swears or affirms the oath prescribed in the Municipal Census Manual prior to the census being conducted, (d) ensure that all census enumerators complete the statement of a census enumerator prescribed in the Municipal Census Manual prior to undertaking work on the census, (e) conduct the census in accordance with this Regulation and the Municipal Census Manual, and (f) submit the results of the census in the form prescribed by the Municipal Census Manual before September 1 of the year in which the census was conducted. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if a municipal authority wants to conduct a census that is not in accordance with this Regulation and the Municipal Census Manual and have the results recognized by the Minister as the population of that municipal authority, the municipal authority must receive the Minister’s approval prior to February 28 of the census year. Shadow population 4 (1) Subject to subsection (2), if the shadow population in a municipal authority is (a) greater than 1000 persons, or (b) less than 1000 persons but greater in number than 10% of the permanent population, and the municipal authority has submitted its shadow population count to the Minister in the form prescribed by the Municipal Census Manual by no later than September 1 of the census year, a municipal authority may have the shadow population count included as part of the municipal authority’s population total. (2) The Minister shall determine whether the shadow population count in a municipal authority will be included as part of the municipal authority’s population total. (3) A shadow population count that is included in a municipal authority’s population total shall be removed from the municipal authority’s population total on the release of the next federal census for the municipal authority. Review of census results 5 The Minister may direct a municipal authority to provide information regarding a municipal census to the Minister, in the form and manner determined by the Minister, for the purposes of reviewing a municipal census result. Change in geographic area 6 If the geographic area of a municipal authority changes after June 30 in a year in which the municipal authority has conducted a municipal census, the Minister may require the municipal authority to update the results of the census and submit the updated results to the Minister in accordance with the directions of the Minister. Use of census data 7 The Minister may use the results of a municipal census and shadow population count to determine the population of a municipal authority, as published by the Minister’s department from time to time. Expiry 8 For the purpose of ensuring that this Regulation is reviewed for ongoing relevancy and necessity, with the option that it may be repassed in its present or an amended form following a review, this Regulation expires on November 30, 2032.