Interesting Population Stats on the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area

The following stats reflect the population decline in the Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area from 1981 to present.

----------------1981---1986---1991---1996---2001---2006---2006 vs 81

Crowsnest Pass--7340---7577---6680---6356---6262---5749-----78%

Elkford BC-------3126---3187---2846---2729---2589---2463-----79%

Sparwood BC----4157---4540---4211---3982---3812---3618-----87%

Fernie BC-------5444---5188---5012---4877---4611---4217------77%

Pincher Creek---3825---3800--3660---3659---3666---3625-----95%

Total----------23892--24292--22409--21603--20940--19672----82%

Why the analysis? well first of all I know we have a problem with population decline in the Crowsnest Pass, and we all know that there are obvious reasons for that.
I also have a theory that the population decline is directed related to the work practices of our largest employer (BC coal mines). I have long taken the position that the implementation of the four on four off schedule at the mines had a huge impact on our community. These numbers I believe support that, if you look above the four on four off schedule was implemented in 1983-84 the numbers peak in 1986. The work schedule was relatively new at that point and only a few people were living outside the area, as time marched on more and more mine employees realized the mobility that schedule provides them.
Prior to that time nobody had more than two days a week off, much more difficult to live outside the area.
If you examine the numbers CNP, Elkford and Fernie suffered relatively the same decline in population, 21 to 23%. Where Sparwood dropped 13% still significant but not as bad as the others, I would argue that Sparwood did not suffer to the same degree due to it being blessed with logistics, being right in the middle of all the mines.
Then to further prove my theory I provided the numbers for the Town of Pincher Creek close to our area but not very dependent on the mines for employment, its population only dropped 5% over that same time frame, which I'm sure you would find is consistent with rural Alberta outside of the energy sector.
You may ask why is this information relevant?
Well barring the mines going back to eight shifts, (which will never happen the employees like the four days off and it is more efficient for the employer)
Our resident population is going to keep declining in the overall area, even with the mines hiring people are finding that they can live in Lethbridge and work here.
The competition between local communties to attract people moving here is going to become more and more fierce. People that do choice to live here are going to look at the individual communities, and determine which best suits their needs we will never be able to compete with the towns in the Elk Valley as far as proximity but we have to compete with them in other ways. Appearance is a prime example.