Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 13/02) - The population of the Northwest Territories has declined by almost six per cent since 1996, according to the Statistics Canada census.

On census day, May 14, 2001, the population was 37,360 persons, compared to 39,672 in 1996.

Two communities in the NWT disappeared altogether between 1996 and 2001. Reliance went from two to none and Salt Plains from 11 to zero.

Yellowknife's population declined by 4.2 per cent, well below the totals for NWT, but Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik showed higher declines averaging 8.1 per cent.

In comparison, Nunavut's population grew by 8.1 per cent, to 26,745.

Nevertheless, in the past the numbers have been known to be flawed. In 1996, Statistics Canada estimated they missed about 2,100 people.

"Historically Canadian census numbers are short by two to three per cent," said territorial statistician David Stewart. "It was unusual that in 1996, about five per cent of people were missed in the NWT."

The main reason for the discrepancy is certain people are likely unavailable during the census period and are not counted, said Stewart.

To correct the shortage, Statistics Canada conducts an independent sample of 3,000 people. They recount the region and then compare the numbers against the census database. The adjustment is added to the final census figures.

David McPherson, president of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, said he finds it difficult to believe the population has fallen, especially in Yellowknife.

"Just look at our housing problems. There are no vacancies and in 1996 and 1997 there were," said McPherson. "Walk down the street in Yellowknife or go to the mall and tell me there are not more people in town."

McPherson said if the numbers do not change after the adjustment sample, it must be because the territorial government refuses to build new homes. "How can we get people to move here if there is no place to live," he said.

Canada's population increased four per cent to 30,007,094.