Census staff chase tardy forms

Almost 11,000 households in the Halifax region and nearly900 in Sydney can expect a visit from census workers for not filling out the 2006 questionnaire, Statistics Canada officials say.

The agency said people will get several warnings, and if they don't fill out the paperwork, they will face a fine of up to $500 or three months in jail.

"We're talking about a very small fraction of the population," said Doug McLellan, the assistant director of census for the eastern region. "Usually what we find is when people realize we're serious about proceeding, they will comply."

McLellan said after the last census, the agency prosecuted 52 cases across Canada. However, most were dropped because the forms were completed before the court date.

The census gives Statistics Canada a snapshot of the population. That information is used to decide where to put schools and hospitals, as well as determining transfer payments from the federal government.

McLellan said Halifax is a difficult place to take a census because of its fast growth and large student population.

Making matters worse, he added, was the fact the agency had a tough time competing against other employers to keep census staff in the field.

Statistics Canada wants forms for 10,970 households in the Halifax Regional Municipality and 861 households in Sydney.