2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Ethnic Origin (247), Generation Status (4), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3) and Sex (3) for the Population 15 Years and Over of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :97-562-XCB2006015
Release date :April 2, 2008
Topic :Ethnic origin and visible minorities
Data dimensions :

Note

Note: Ethnic origin

In 2006, the Ethnic origin question asked: 'What were the ethnic or cultural origins of this person's ancestors?' Respondents were asked to specify as many origins as applicable. Four write-in spaces were provided and up to six ethnic origins were retained.

Since 1981, when respondents were first permitted to report more than one ethnic origin in the census, a distinction has been made between single and multiple ethnic origin responses. A 'single' response is given when a respondent provides one ethnic origin only. A 'multiple' response is given when a respondent provides two or more ethnic origins. A 'total response' indicates the sum of single and multiple responses for each specific group.

It must be noted that the measurement of ethnicity is affected by changes in the social environment in which the question is asked, and changes in the respondent's understanding or views about the topic. Awareness of family background or length of time since immigration can affect responses to the ethnic origin question. Some respondents may confuse or combine the concept of ethnic origin with other concepts such as citizenship, nationality, language or cultural identity.

As well, some respondents may choose to provide very specific ethnic origins in the census, while others may choose to give more general responses. This means that two respondents with the same ethnic ancestry could have different response patterns and thus could be counted as having different ethnic origins. For example, one respondent may report 'East Indian' ethnic origin while another respondent, with a similar ancestral background, may report 'Punjabi' or 'South Asian' origins; one respondent may report 'Black' while another, similar respondent, may report 'Ghanaian' or 'African.' As a result, ethnic origin data are very fluid, and counts for certain origins, such as 'East Indian' and 'Black,' may seem lower than initially expected. Users who wish to obtain broader response counts may wish to combine data for two or more ethnic origins together or use counts for ethnic categories such as 'South Asian origins' or 'African origins.'

For additional information on issues related to the collection and dissemination of ethnic origin data, and on the comparability of ethnic origin data over time, refer to the Ethnic Origin Reference Guide, 2006 Census, Catalogue number 97-562-GWE2006025.

Note: Impact of municipal restructuring

The boundaries and names of municipalities (census subdivisions) can change from one census to the next because of annexations, dissolutions and incorporations. To bridge the impact of these municipal changes on data dissemination, the 2006 Census team is producing a profile for dissolved census subdivisions. For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

Note: Institutional residents

People in seniors' residences in the 2006 Census are classified as 'not living in an institution'. This is a change from the 2001 Census where they were classified as institutional residents, specifically, 'living in an institution, resident under care or custody'.

Note: Non-permanent residents and the census universe

In the 2006 Census, non-permanent residents are defined as people from another country who, at the time of the census, held a Work or Study Permit, or who were refugee claimants, as well as family members living in Canada with them. In the 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses, non-permanent residents also included persons who held a Minister's permit; this was discontinued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior to the 2006 Census.

From 1991 on, the Census of Population has enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. Prior to 1991, only permanent residents of Canada were included in the census. (The only exception to this occurred in 1941.) Non-permanent residents were considered foreign residents and were not enumerated.

Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universe. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991, 1996, 2001 or 2006 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents.

Today in Canada, non-permanent residents make up a significant segment of the population, especially in several census metropolitan areas. Their presence can affect the demand for such government services as health care, schooling, employment programs and language training. The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the census facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population. In addition, this inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the United Nations (UN) recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the enumeration of this population.

For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

For counts of the non-permanent resident population in 1991, 2001 and 2006, please refer to the 2006 Census table 97-557-XCB2006006.


Note: Population universe

The population universe of the 2006 Census includes the following groups:
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants with a usual place of residence in Canada;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants who are abroad, either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Study Permits and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Work Permits and members of their families living with them.

For census purposes, the last three groups in this list are referred to as 'non-permanent residents'. For further information, refer to the variable Immigration: Non-permanent resident found in the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

Data table

Select data categories for this table


This table details ethnic origin , generation status , single and multiple ethnic origin responses and sex for the population 15 years and over in SherbrookeFootnote 2
Ethnic origin (247) Generation status (4)
Total - Generation status 1st generationFootnote 3 2nd generationFootnote 4 3rd generation or moreFootnote 5
Total - Ethnic originFootnote 6 120,080 8,720 4,300 107,055
British Isles origins 10,880 395 930 9,555
Cornish 0 0 0 0
English 3,810 275 560 2,975
Irish 6,540 150 340 6,050
Manx 0 0 0 0
Scottish 2,380 90 230 2,055
Welsh 140 25 20 95
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 7 245 10 20 210
French origins 39,910 1,460 1,515 36,940
Acadian 470 15 10 450
French 39,645 1,455 1,515 36,680
Aboriginal origins 3,835 50 120 3,660
Inuit 30 0 10 15
Métis 520 0 25 495
North American Indian 3,375 50 85 3,235
Other North American origins 84,305 790 2,115 81,400
American 655 70 190 390
Canadian 82,125 740 1,945 79,445
Newfoundlander 0 0 0 10
Nova Scotian 0 0 0 0
Ontarian 15 0 0 15
Québécois 2,170 20 95 2,055
Other provincial or regional groups 0 0 0 0
Caribbean origins 310 195 100 15
Antiguan 0 0 0 0
Bahamian 0 0 0 0
Barbadian 10 0 0 0
Bermudan 10 0 0 10
Carib 0 0 0 0
Cuban 15 15 0 0
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 8 30 30 0 0
Grenadian 10 0 0 0
Guyanese 0 0 10 0
Haitian 180 110 65 0
Jamaican 45 25 10 10
Kittitian/Nevisian 10 0 10 0
Martinican 10 0 10 0
Montserratan 0 0 0 0
Puerto Rican 0 0 0 0
St. Lucian 0 0 0 0
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 0 0 0 0
Vincentian/Grenadinian 0 0 0 0
West Indian 0 10 0 0
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 9 25 10 15 0
Latin, Central and South American origins 1,465 1,325 110 25
Aboriginal from Central/South America 75 70 0 0
Argentinian 90 85 0 0
Belizean 0 0 0 0
Bolivian 10 10 0 0
Brazilian 45 45 0 0
Chilean 20 10 10 0
Colombian 410 390 0 10
Costa Rican 15 15 0 0
Ecuadorian 40 20 20 0
Guatemalan 55 55 0 0
Hispanic 0 0 0 0
Honduran 55 45 15 0
Maya 10 10 0 0
Mexican 130 115 0 10
Nicaraguan 135 110 25 0
Panamanian 0 0 0 0
Paraguayan 10 0 0 0
Peruvian 65 55 10 0
Salvadorean 335 305 30 0
Uruguayan 0 10 0 0
Venezuelan 10 10 0 0
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 10 30 30 0 0
European origins 7,555 2,675 1,070 3,810
Western European origins 2,975 620 405 1,950
Austrian 130 30 10 90
Belgian 680 180 100 405
Dutch (Netherlands) 215 60 55 100
Flemish 25 25 0 0
Frisian 0 0 0 0
German 1,795 265 190 1,340
Luxembourger 40 25 0 0
Swiss 270 110 60 100
Northern European origins 185 15 45 130
Finnish 40 0 10 25
Scandinavian origins 155 15 35 105
Danish 30 0 15 10
Icelandic 0 0 0 0
Norwegian 60 0 15 40
Swedish 40 10 10 30
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 11 25 0 0 20
Eastern European origins 1,070 445 235 390
Baltic origins 20 0 0 15
Estonian 0 10 0 0
Latvian 0 0 0 0
Lithuanian 15 0 0 15
Byelorussian 10 10 0 0
Czech and Slovak origins 135 80 10 50
Czech 20 10 0 15
Czechoslovakian 15 0 0 15
Slovak 105 80 0 15
Hungarian (Magyar) 80 35 30 15
Polish 485 180 135 165
Romanian 155 100 20 40
Russian 90 55 10 25
Ukrainian 155 25 40 90
Southern European origins 3,520 1,660 460 1,395
Albanian 0 0 0 0
Bosnian 90 80 0 10
Bulgarian 55 50 0 0
Croatian 110 115 0 0
Cypriot 0 0 0 0
Greek 190 70 95 20
Italian 1,570 305 240 1,020
Kosovar 0 0 0 0
Macedonian 0 0 0 0
Maltese 10 0 0 0
Montenegrin 0 0 0 0
Portuguese 210 100 35 80
Serbian 305 295 0 10
Sicilian 0 0 0 0
Slovenian 15 15 0 0
Spanish 820 510 80 225
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 12 315 275 10 35
Other European origins 280 130 15 135
Basque 30 15 0 15
Gypsy (Roma) 0 0 0 0
Jewish 140 50 10 90
Slav (European) 55 55 0 0
European, n.i.e.Footnote 13 70 15 15 40
African origins 1,025 885 105 35
Afrikaner 0 0 0 0
Akan 0 0 0 0
Amhara 0 0 0 0
Angolan 0 0 0 0
Ashanti 0 0 0 0
Bantu 15 15 0 0
Black 70 50 0 10
Burundian 130 130 0 0
Cameroonian 40 35 10 0
Chadian 0 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 85 80 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 14 35 35 0 0
Dinka 0 0 0 0
East African 0 0 0 0
Eritrean 0 0 0 0
Ethiopian 0 0 0 0
Gabonese 0 0 0 0
Gambian 0 0 0 0
Ghanaian 15 20 0 0
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 15 15 10 0 0
Harari 0 0 0 0
Ibo 0 0 0 0
Ivorian 40 30 0 0
Kenyan 0 0 0 0
Malagasy 55 60 0 0
Malian 20 15 0 0
Mauritian 20 10 10 0
Nigerian 55 55 0 0
Oromo 0 0 0 0
Peulh 35 30 0 0
Rwandan 90 90 0 0
Senegalese 30 20 0 0
Seychellois 0 0 0 0
Sierra Leonean 0 0 0 0
Somali 15 15 0 0
South African 0 0 0 0
Sudanese 0 0 0 0
Tanzanian 10 10 0 0
Tigrian 0 0 0 0
Togolese 15 0 10 0
Ugandan 0 0 0 0
Yoruba 0 0 0 0
Zambian 0 0 0 0
Zimbabwean 0 0 0 0
Zulu 0 0 0 0
African, n.i.e.Footnote 16 330 250 60 20
Arab origins 1,205 935 145 125
Egyptian 70 35 25 10
Iraqi 0 0 0 0
Jordanian 0 0 0 0
Kuwaiti 0 0 0 0
Lebanese 175 65 40 70
Libyan 0 0 0 0
Maghrebi origins 740 670 40 25
Algerian 195 180 0 10
Berber 85 90 0 0
Moroccan 315 285 15 10
Tunisian 150 120 25 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 17 10 10 0 0
Palestinian 10 0 10 0
Saudi Arabian 0 0 0 0
Syrian 105 45 30 30
Yemeni 0 0 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 18 170 165 10 0
West Asian origins 630 520 35 75
Afghan 325 325 0 0
Armenian 100 55 15 30
Assyrian 10 0 10 0
Azerbaijani 0 0 0 0
Georgian 0 0 0 0
Iranian 50 45 10 0
Israeli 0 10 0 0
Kurd 35 30 0 0
Pashtun 0 0 0 0
Tatar 0 0 0 0
Turk 70 20 10 40
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 60 60 0 0
South Asian origins 195 110 40 45
Bangladeshi 20 10 10 0
Bengali 0 0 0 0
East Indian 180 95 40 45
Goan 0 0 0 0
Gujarati 0 0 0 0
Kashmiri 0 0 0 0
Nepali 0 0 0 0
Pakistani 10 0 0 0
Punjabi 0 0 0 0
Sinhalese 0 0 0 0
Sri Lankan 0 0 0 0
Tamil 0 0 0 0
South Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 20 0 0 0 0
East and Southeast Asian origins 805 615 145 40
Burmese 0 0 0 0
Cambodian 55 45 10 0
Chinese 455 375 65 15
Filipino 10 10 0 0
Hmong 0 0 0 0
Indonesian 0 0 0 0
Japanese 30 30 0 0
Khmer 0 0 0 0
Korean 35 35 0 0
Laotian 45 30 15 0
Malaysian 0 0 0 0
Mongolian 15 20 0 0
Singaporean 0 0 0 0
Taiwanese 10 10 0 0
Thai 0 0 0 0
Tibetan 0 0 0 0
Vietnamese 215 135 55 25
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 21 0 10 0 0
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 22 0 0 0 0
Oceania origins 20 0 0 20
Australian 20 0 0 20
New Zealander 0 0 0 0
Pacific Islands origins 0 10 0 0
Fijian 0 0 0 0
Hawaiian 0 0 0 0
Maori 0 0 0 0
Polynesian 10 0 0 0
Samoan 0 0 0 0
Pacific Islander, n.i.e.Footnote 23 0 0 0 0

Footnotes

Footnote 1

The category 'Total - Single and multiple ethnic origin responses' indicates the number of respondents who reported each ethnic origin, either as their only response or in addition to one or more other ethnic origins. Total responses represent the sum of single responses and multiple responses received in the census.

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Footnote 2

Data quality index showing, for the short census questionnaire (100% data), a global non response rate higher than or equal to 5% but lower than 10%.

2001 adjusted count; most of these are the result of boundary changes.

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Footnote 3

Persons born outside Canada. For the most part, these are people who are now, or have ever been, landed immigrants in Canada. Also included in the first generation are a small number of people born outside Canada to parents who are Canadian citizens by birth. In addition, the first generation includes people who are non-permanent residents (defined as people from another country living in Canada on Work or Study Permits or as refugee claimants, and any family members living with them in Canada).

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Footnote 4

Persons born inside Canada with at least one parent born outside Canada. This includes (a) persons born in Canada with both parents born outside Canada and (b) persons born in Canada with one parent born in Canada and one parent born outside Canada (these persons may have grandparents born inside or outside Canada as well).

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Footnote 5

Persons born inside Canada with both parents born inside Canada (these persons may have grandparents born inside or outside Canada as well).

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Footnote 6

This is a total population count. The sum of the ethnic groups in this table is greater than the total population count because a person may report more than one ethnic origin in the census.

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Footnote 7

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 8

The abbreviation 'n.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 9

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 10

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 11

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 12

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 13

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 14

The abbreviation 'n.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 15

The abbreviation 'n.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 16

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 17

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 18

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 19

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 20

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 21

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Footnote 22

The abbreviation 'n.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 23

The abbreviation 'n.i.e.' means 'not included elsewhere.'

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-562-XCB2006015.

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Footnotes

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