Stats Canada says the latest census shows there were 1,425 fewer people living in Prince George in 2006, compared to 2001. That drop in population could be very expensive for the City of Prince George.

In the days leading up to the official May 16^th census, Prince George Mayor Colin Kinsley urged everyone to ensure they were "counted in" as “Each person counted means $1,100 dollars in federal transfer payments”

If that is the case, then Prince George has just lost $1,567,500.00

Acting Mayor Don Zurowski says he is having some difficulty in accepting the population count “Provincial stats show us as growing, rental availabilities are low, the housing market is hot, unemployment is low and participation in the labour force is up.” He says all the signs are there indicating the population is increasing, but somehow Stats Canada still comes up with a 2% drop.

Will that mean a direct loss in dollars for the City? Not necessarily says Zurowski “The loss may be more in the way of reduced dollars to some federally funded programs, like health, education or some green programs.” Still there is a potential the amount available to Prince George and region will be reduced.

In its 2007 budget presentation the Corporate Services department reported “Wherever possible the City applies for Federal and Provincial grants.”

Those “grants” would include funding through the Municipal-Rural Infrastructure program for dollars to help build the Cameron Street Bridge. Acting Mayor Don Zurowski says he is not giving up “I still challenge the Federal and Provincial Governments’ to do the right thing and pay their 2/3 share of the cost of the Cameron Street Bridge project.” It is not clear how, or if, the reduced population numbers will impact funding for the construction of the RCMP building.

In the 2007 budget discussions, there were $1.22 million dollars worth of capital projects which rely on the Community Works fund. The capital plan has been approved, and Zurowski says he believes the dollars were already committed by the fund for the projects.

Will there need to be any adjustment to the City’s 2007 budget? Zurowski says no “From this Councilor’s chair, I cannot see us going back to adjust the tax requisition to cover the Federal Government”.