How many people live in Faro? More than the official stats say, town claims

The Town of Faro, Yukon, says official population counts are underestimating the number of people who live there, and that's costing the municipality money.

Faro officials have written to the Department of Community Services about a municipal population study conducted by the town, looking at its "shadow population" — that is, those people not counted in official population estimates.

Mayor Jack Bowers says the discrepancy in numbers has all kinds of implications and that "under-representing us costs us … about $30,000 a year." That's because territorial funding for municipalities is partly based on population statistics.

According to the Yukon Bureau of Statistics' most recent population estimate, published in December, there were 455 residents in Faro. However, the town's own study puts that number at 589 residents — almost 30 per cent more than the territory's count.

Bowers said they had a "gut feel that we would see at least 100 [more people]" than the official count. He said it was important to figure out just how many people the municipality is providing services to, such as landfill, water and sewage.

To do its own count, the town hired two local people "who have vast knowledge of the community and residents," according to the study. 

"Using their knowledge of the community, along with business licence applications, curb stop turn on/shut off forms, and development permits, these Census Workers then determined the number of occupants in each residence at any given time," the study says.

The "shadow population" — the estimated 134 people not counted by the Yukon Bureau of Statistics — include seasonal residents, people staying in guesthouses or at campsites, and those living in company housing either year-round or seasonally.

The report acknowledges that the report was done by town employees and contractors and that "while all these workers have a basic understanding of statistics, none are statistical analysts."

"Faro questions whether it is time for the Yukon Government to amend the Yukon Municipal Act to empower Yukon communities to conduct their own community population counts," it reads.

Municipalities not adequately funded, says Association of Yukon Communities

Municipalities in the territory rely on the Comprehensive Municipal Grant (CMG) formula for funding. The formula includes factors such as population, properties, infrastructure, and the tax base of each incorporated municipality. 

According to the territorial government, the Town of Faro is receiving just under $2 million this year through the CMG.  

"Municipalities have long argued that the Yukon government is not adequately funding [municipalities] through the [Comprehensive Municipal Grant]," said Lauren Hanchar, president of the Association of Yukon Communities.

If the Yukon government is undercounting community populations, Hanchar continued, this means less money to deliver services, putting those services at risk.

Last year, the Association of Yukon Communities issued a report analyzing the CMG and making recommendations for short-term financial support. Hanchar said negotiations over revisions to the existing grant formula are expected to conclude by the end of September.

Population estimates for all of the Yukon and each of its communities are released four times a year and calibrated with Statistics Canada data for accuracy.

Misha Donohoe, senior information officer at the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, confirmed that there is no statistical margin of error. The bureau uses what it calls "administrative files" for up-to-date information on people using services in municipalities.

One concern raised by Faro officials is that the territory's statistics fail to count people who live outside of municipal limits, but still come into town to access services.

Bowers, Faro's mayor, said there is only so much the town can charge for services to residents already paying for them through taxes. It isn't fair, he says, "where other users are essentially getting a free ride."

However, Donohoe says population estimates include "residents of the area within the municipality and the surrounding area up to halfway between a community and the next community along a relevant highway."

The Town of Faro is awaiting a response to its report from the Yukon government.

The Department of Community Services did not respond to the CBC News before publication of this story.