The RM of Portage la Prairie is thrilled with the news that Census Canada is taking the time to review its concerns and address them. Reeve Kam Blight says RM population has gone up by 176 people, and the previous count did not consider that, so an appeal was made for a second count. 

"This more accurately reflects what we feel has been happening in our municipality," says Blight. "Now we're just over the 7,000-person threshold in the RM of Portage la Prairie, so we're very pleased."

Blight explains the previous census noted that the number of dwellings had gone down and RM population was not where they thought it should be based on the number of permits that have been taken out for the increase in buildings and structures in the municipality. 

"We went up from 6,888 residency in the RM of Portage la Prairie, now we're at just over 7,000," continues Blight. "This benefits us in a few different ways. It recognizes the growth that is taking place in our municipality, but also, allows for some extra provincial and federal funding to come." 

He adds this new census accurately reflects what's happening in the RM and indicates they really are growing.

"We are a thriving municipality, and I just think that that speaks to that," says Blight. "But the boost in grant funding is definitely greatly appreciated, and will be used to grow our municipality. So, we're certainly appreciative." 

The letter to the RM of Portage l;a Prairie related the good news as follows:

 

The investigation found that the errors in the counts for the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie were the result of the following factors:

1. The omission of private dwellings in the 2021 Census that should have been enumerated but were missed.

2. The misallocation of population and dwellings located in the Rural Municipality Portage la Prairie to neighboring census subdivisions (CSDs).

First, it was found that 34 dwellings were missed by census enumerators in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie. Of the 34 missed dwellings, 30 are estimated to be occupied by 75 usual residents.

Second, some misallocation errors were identified. It was found that 27 dwellings occupied by 72 usual residents belonging in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie were misallocated to the City of Portage la Prairie. In addition, 5 dwellings occupied by 8 usual residents belonging in the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie were misallocated to the Rural Municipality of Woodland.

Finally, a Statistics Canada boundary error was discovered between the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie and the census subdivision of Westlake-Gladstone, involving 20 dwellings, 8 of which were occupied by 21 usual residents. These dwellings and population belonging in the RM of Portage la Prairie were initially allocated to Westlake-Gladstone. They have now been correctly allocated to the RM of Portage la Prairie and the boundary issue has been resolved.

As a result of this investigation, a total of 86 private dwellings, 70 occupied by usual residents, and 176 persons will be added to the 2021 Census population and dwelling counts for the CSD of Portage la Prairie (RM). Of those, 11 dwellings occupied by 34 persons are located in the Designated place (DPL) of Oakville, so the population and dwelling counts for Oakville will be adjusted as well.

The counts for the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie as well as the affected CSDs of Portage la Prairie (CY), Woodlands and Westlake-Gladstone and the DPL of Oakville have been recompiled. The published and revised counts are shown in the tables below.

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