The overall purpose of this research project, which has been commissioned by the Northern Alberta Development Council, is to investigate the social impact of shadow populations in Northern Alberta.

Eligibility Criteria

The report is available to anyone who has Internet access.

The 49 page report consists of two parts. Part 1 focuses on quantifying the shadow population in Northern Alberta using an enumeration procedure that can be replicated by local government authorities and considered in funding formulas that are per-capita based. Part 2 focuses on cross-referencing the shadow populations quantified with social indicators to determine if there is a relationship between magnitude and rates of occurrence.

Excerpt from the report

Though as common as this knowledge of transient workers and production cycles may be to the residents of Northern Alberta, the shadow population is not reflected in the population counts conducted by Statistics Canada. And, aside from a few exceptions, transient workers are not included in the annual provincial census collected for/by the municipalities. Because these individuals are not included in population counts they do not contribute to the calculations of funding that is based on population; referred to as "per capita" funding. These are the kinds of funds that cover the costs of road upgrades, bridge repairs, the maintenance of water and waste-water management systems, and community services such as health and law enforcement. In Northern Alberta the responsibility of providing these services is typically charged to the municipal districts (urban and rural). A daunting task for some when one considers the amortization of usage and determinant of need is multiplied by a shadow population that is not accounted for in the bottom line dollars that are allocated on a "per capita" basis.

View the PDF version Related Reading

• AlbertaFirst.Com Ltd.
• Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs)
• First Nation Profiles
• Statistics on Household and Family Housing
• Aboriginal Peoples Survey
• Census of Population and Demography of Canada

This research project has been commissioned by the Northern Alberta Development Council – Alberta Aboriginal and Northern Affairs.

Alberta Contact(s):
Mr. Allen Geary
Director, Projects and Research
Northern Alberta Development Council
206 Provincial Building
9621 - 96 Avenue
Postal Bag 900-14
Peace River, Alberta  T8S 1T4
Telephone: 780-624-6337
Fax: 780-624-6184
Toll-free (information): Dial 310-0000 then 780-624-6337
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