FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Fort McMurray residents who have fled their city because of a wildfire will not be expected to complete the 2016 census right now.
Statistics Canada says it's aware of the difficult circumstances and is suspending collection activities from them indefinitely ahead of today's deadline.
The agency says the processes to include the population of the Fort McMurray area in the census will be determined at a later date.
Census information is used in planning services such as schools, public transportation, senior housing and police and fire services.
All 80,000 residents of Fort McMurray were ordered out last Tuesday when a wildfire, pushed by shifting winds, overwhelmed several neighbourhoods.
About 2,400 buildings, mostly homes, were lost and officials have said it will likely be two weeks or longer before evacuees will be allowed to return.
