Only half of Whitehorse households have filled out their national census forms.

In an interview this morning, Jerry Page, the director of Statistics Canada's western region, said he was disappointed in the number of people returning census forms in the territory's capital city.

'We're around 50 per cent. I would like to see it much higher,' he said.

They typical number of people returning census forms without a reminder visit from census takers, he said, is about 75 per cent

'I don't think it's privacy concerns, I think it's apathy,' Page said.

Census information is private and not available to other institutions, he noted, including the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service or the RCMP.

This is also the first year, he added, that the census has been mailed out to homes and available on the Internet.

He said after May 16, the day to fill out census forms, his office waited for 10 days for mail-in forms. Staff are now going door-to-door in Whitehorse in an attempt to collect more information.

He said it's important for Whitehorse residents to understand they are required by law to fill out their census information and that that information could have an impact on the amount of money the territory receives from Ottawa.

'The census can absolutely affect transfer payments. Typically, the Yukon receives $15,800 per person ... or $75,000 per person over a five-year period,' he said.

Incorrect figures he added, could mean the territory receives fewer dollars.

'It's part of our civic duty to complete a form so that all levels of government understand what's happening in the community.'

He said there are several steps the organization takes to try to get the information, with the last one being the least used and most severe.

'Then there's a good chance they'll (people who haven't filled out their forms after being contacted several times) receiving a summons from the Department of Justice.'

'It's a $500-fine and/or three months in jail.'

During the last census, he added, the federal government took 52 Canadians to court.

There are several ways to fill out census forms, Page added, including on the Internet, mail-in census forms or by telephone at 1-877-594-2006.

Premier Dennis Fentie told the Star this afternoon the 50 per cent figure 'is a concern' to his government and that he encouraged all Yukoners to fill out their census forms.

'As a government, we're very concerned about that,' he said, explaining that both Ottawa and Yukon statistics are often used by his government.

'I encourage Yukoners and Whitehorse residents to fill out their census forms ... it's something citizens are required to do.'

Page also said his organization was having trouble recruiting census takers in Whitehorse, which made collecting information even more difficult.

'We've been struggling to get census-takers.

'It's $13.75 an hour. I encourage anyone interested in working with us to contact 667-2479.'