Statistics Canada is considering hiring a small army of out-of-province enumerators to chase down the 250,000 Albertans who haven't filled out census forms.

Statistics Canada usually collects the information it needs by mid-July, but this year census staff expect to be working into August, knocking on the doors of tardy Albertans.

Spokeswoman Melanie Dixon said it's a combination of more Albertans failing to fill in the forms and not having enough people to fill census jobs thanks to the high employment rate in the province.

There are 500 vacancies in Alberta. Dixon said Statistics Canada will likely bring in hundreds of people from Manitoba and Saskatchewan to fill the spots. That means paying for their transportation and accommodation.

"The longer we go without these forms, we are spending more money, we have more staff costs, and we're out in the field for longer and longer," said Dixon.

Census forms due in May

The census determines Canada's population, tracks labour market activity, immigration and migration between the provinces. It also determines how much money provinces get from the federal government for health care, education and social services.

Diane Lacharette is guilty of not filling out the census. She lives in Calgary, but recently moved and hasn't seen her census form.

"I suppose they should be done because it's important to do them, but no, I haven't done it yet," she said.

Ed McGowan dutifully sent in his census form before the May 16 deadline. He's annoyed enumerators have to chase after other people who can't be bothered.

"Personally, I'm offended that my tax dollars are being spent to call these people individually to do this. What's the harm? It's silly, just fill the damn thing out."

Albertans can still do the questionnaire online, on the telephone or get a paper copy from the census office. Not filling out the census form can lead to a fine of $500 or up to six months in jail.