The mayor of La Ronge says Statistics Canada has formally revised its census number for the town.
Thomas Sierzycki says the number has been revised upward from 2,304 to 2,743.
The mayor notes that is short of the town’s municipal census number of 3,053 — but adds the revised figure is a slight growth over the community’s 2006 census count of 2,725.
Sierzycki says while he is glad the official number is going up — he is disappointed it wasn’t higher:
“I think it underestimates, clearly, based on the amount of dwellings we’ve had built in La Ronge — as well as the young professionals and families moving into our community. So, of course, when you only increase by 20 people in that five-year span, you just don’t feel it — especially, going by our records, tax rolls and building permits. However, that being said, at least is shows a little bit of positive growth, rather than regressive, that was indicated by a population of 2,304 that showed a dying community.”
The northern town appealed the results of last year’s census, arguing not everyone had been counted.
The municipality also took the step of organizing its own count this past spring.