Members of the city’s Corporate Services Committee will be asking administration to look into the possibilities of getting a count of the “shadow population” Grande Prairie.
Mayor Bill Given says there is no harm in trying to get a better idea on those who stay here for work but may not own or rent a property.
“In Alberta, the provincial government has a specific regulation that allows municipalities to essentially count people living in hotels, or in work encampments and other areas, that may be causing a strain or utilizing municipal services.”
Given says while it’s simply a fact-finding mission at this point, but getting more information on the currently unknown number could make a big change going forward.
“Having that information would allow council to determine whether or not it would be worthwhile to pursue establishing a shadow population count.”
“Once a municipality does have that number of shadow population, the province has a process for it being included in the overall community census number which would impact things like municipal grants,” he adds.
As of 2018, Grande Prairie has a population of 69,088, which represents a moderate 0.67 percent increase from 2016,
The majority of province residents in Grande Prairie migrated from British Columbia and Ontario.
