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 PeelFootnote 2
Ethnic origin (247) Generation status (4)
Total - Generation status 1st generationFootnote 3 2nd generationFootnote 4 3rd generation or moreFootnote 5
Total - Ethnic originFootnote 6 909,145 534,345 186,760 188,035
British Isles origins 211,950 40,440 51,325 120,185
Cornish 40 10 0 25
English 126,625 23,050 30,150 73,430
Irish 81,825 10,755 16,990 54,080
Manx 85 20 15 50
Scottish 85,555 12,570 19,770 53,215
Welsh 7,870 1,585 2,030 4,255
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 7 10,660 2,600 3,180 4,880
French origins 38,650 4,515 6,265 27,875
Acadian 605 20 80 500
French 38,270 4,495 6,210 27,565
Aboriginal origins 8,710 210 1,205 7,295
Inuit 120 0 0 120
Métis 1,465 15 195 1,260
North American Indian 7,255 190 1,025 6,040
Other North American origins 102,915 6,425 22,580 73,905
American 4,850 1,665 1,565 1,620
Canadian 98,665 4,895 21,460 72,310
Newfoundlander 695 30 60 600
Nova Scotian 60 0 15 45
Ontarian 20 0 0 20
Québécois 125 0 30 95
Other provincial or regional groups 40 0 0 40
Caribbean origins 67,520 48,770 17,090 1,660
Antiguan 435 260 175 0
Bahamian 105 60 35 0
Barbadian 2,870 1,690 1,020 155
Bermudan 135 60 55 15
Carib 365 275 90 0
Cuban 950 785 150 10
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 8 510 380 120 10
Grenadian 1,550 1,075 450 20
Guyanese 9,040 6,485 2,370 190
Haitian 210 135 70 0
Jamaican 37,235 26,680 9,655 905
Kittitian/Nevisian 295 180 115 0
Martinican 25 20 10 0
Montserratan 65 50 20 0
Puerto Rican 60 30 20 10
St. Lucian 500 330 145 25
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 7,675 5,345 2,215 120
Vincentian/Grenadinian 925 650 265 10
West Indian 8,770 6,480 2,045 240
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 9 895 670 205 20
Latin, Central and South American origins 17,085 13,815 3,135 130
Aboriginal from Central/South America 595 450 105 40
Argentinian 735 470 265 10
Belizean 15 15 10 0
Bolivian 105 90 15 0
Brazilian 980 740 230 20
Chilean 2,140 1,730 410 0
Colombian 2,880 2,430 450 0
Costa Rican 130 75 50 0
Ecuadorian 1,805 1,310 490 0
Guatemalan 760 590 165 0
Hispanic 325 300 10 10
Honduran 85 75 10 0
Maya 150 130 20 0
Mexican 1,305 1,115 175 20
Nicaraguan 275 245 30 0
Panamanian 395 310 70 15
Paraguayan 15 0 10 0
Peruvian 1,425 1,145 270 10
Salvadorean 1,735 1,545 195 0
Uruguayan 515 370 135 15
Venezuelan 470 360 105 10
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 10 1,230 1,005 220 10
European origins 294,360 144,990 97,165 52,205
Western European origins 58,315 16,515 18,130 23,665
Austrian 3,985 1,275 1,660 1,055
Belgian 1,280 345 420 515
Dutch (Netherlands) 14,705 4,190 5,230 5,280
Flemish 85 35 10 50
Frisian 35 10 10 10
German 40,355 11,035 11,605 17,710
Luxembourger 15 15 0 0
Swiss 1,650 430 525 695
Northern European origins 8,545 1,655 2,645 4,240
Finnish 1,735 300 565 870
Scandinavian origins 7,070 1,455 2,185 3,435
Danish 2,245 565 840 835
Icelandic 335 40 35 255
Norwegian 1,960 315 630 1,015
Swedish 2,540 525 680 1,335
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 11 335 60 95 185
Eastern European origins 80,895 44,930 19,385 16,575
Baltic origins 3,085 1,185 1,335 565
Estonian 745 275 300 175
Latvian 810 340 340 125
Lithuanian 1,575 585 725 265
Byelorussian 380 295 70 20
Czech and Slovak origins 4,595 2,105 1,555 935
Czech 2,290 1,160 725 400
Czechoslovakian 605 155 280 175
Slovak 1,910 870 635 400
Hungarian (Magyar) 6,630 2,725 2,585 1,325
Polish 44,645 29,645 8,865 6,135
Romanian 3,945 2,910 400 635
Russian 6,545 3,740 1,205 1,595
Ukrainian 20,335 5,960 6,150 8,220
Southern European origins 165,275 86,210 64,855 14,205
Albanian 1,300 1,155 140 10
Bosnian 1,745 1,645 105 0
Bulgarian 1,190 945 125 115
Croatian 9,965 6,000 3,585 380
Cypriot 165 90 70 0
Greek 7,710 3,470 3,445 795
Italian 70,080 24,795 34,990 10,295
Kosovar 25 25 0 0
Macedonian 2,730 1,485 935 310
Maltese 5,105 2,015 2,340 745
Montenegrin 170 135 20 10
Portuguese 45,950 28,900 16,390 665
Serbian 3,995 3,280 675 45
Sicilian 115 35 50 25
Slovenian 3,090 1,255 1,475 355
Spanish 18,075 13,935 3,355 790
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 12 2,625 1,325 860 450
Other European origins 4,440 2,095 1,185 1,155
Basque 50 35 10 10
Gypsy (Roma) 75 30 20 25
Jewish 3,515 1,610 940 965
Slav (European) 90 65 25 0
European, n.i.e.Footnote 13 730 370 195 160
African origins 24,640 19,780 3,925 940
Afrikaner 30 30 0 0
Akan 40 35 10 0
Amhara 30 30 0 0
Angolan 100 85 10 0
Ashanti 295 255 40 0
Bantu 30 25 0 0
Black 3,975 2,510 1,065 405
Burundian 15 15 0 0
Cameroonian 135 125 0 10
Chadian 0 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 165 160 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 14 50 45 0 0
Dinka 0 0 0 0
East African 80 60 25 0
Eritrean 325 280 40 0
Ethiopian 580 550 25 10
Gabonese 0 0 0 0
Gambian 0 0 0 0
Ghanaian 3,485 3,040 435 10
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 15 30 25 0 0
Harari 35 30 0 0
Ibo 55 60 0 0
Ivorian 10 10 0 0
Kenyan 465 420 40 0
Malagasy 30 25 0 0
Malian 0 0 0 0
Mauritian 480 410 60 10
Nigerian 2,115 1,920 190 10
Oromo 95 75 20 0
Peulh 0 0 0 0
Rwandan 135 135 0 0
Senegalese 10 10 0 0
Seychellois 20 20 0 0
Sierra Leonean 65 55 15 0
Somali 1,090 940 150 0
South African 770 535 170 65
Sudanese 490 490 0 0
Tanzanian 210 180 30 0
Tigrian 10 10 0 0
Togolese 60 45 15 0
Ugandan 205 135 65 0
Yoruba 330 330 10 0
Zambian 40 35 0 0
Zimbabwean 110 110 0 0
Zulu 0 0 0 0
African, n.i.e.Footnote 16 9,510 7,460 1,635 420
Arab origins 20,945 18,260 2,290 390
Egyptian 5,570 4,855 680 35
Iraqi 2,725 2,615 105 0
Jordanian 735 645 90 0
Kuwaiti 45 45 0 0
Lebanese 4,045 3,060 695 295
Libyan 100 100 0 0
Maghrebi origins 430 380 50 0
Algerian 50 50 0 0
Berber 65 60 0 0
Moroccan 195 165 30 0
Tunisian 70 60 10 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 17 55 45 10 0
Palestinian 2,585 2,265 320 0
Saudi Arabian 125 125 0 0
Syrian 1,295 1,065 175 55
Yemeni 35 40 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 18 4,835 4,395 420 20
West Asian origins 12,025 10,590 1,305 130
Afghan 3,065 2,935 135 0
Armenian 1,335 965 305 65
Assyrian 1,235 1,150 85 0
Azerbaijani 15 15 0 0
Georgian 60 35 20 0
Iranian 3,825 3,425 395 0
Israeli 170 110 60 10
Kurd 175 175 0 0
Pashtun 170 170 0 0
Tatar 30 25 10 0
Turk 1,790 1,420 320 55
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 600 545 55 0
South Asian origins 209,785 187,230 21,755 795
Bangladeshi 1,250 1,200 55 0
Bengali 620 570 50 0
East Indian 160,205 141,285 18,220 700
Goan 1,080 950 130 0
Gujarati 510 460 50 0
Kashmiri 300 255 40 0
Nepali 460 460 0 0
Pakistani 22,145 20,390 1,710 45
Punjabi 11,640 10,420 1,175 45
Sinhalese 680 625 55 10
Sri Lankan 10,510 9,885 605 20
Tamil 3,705 3,525 175 0
South Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 20 11,415 10,640 760 10
East and Southeast Asian origins 105,370 89,885 13,965 1,515
Burmese 265 215 50 0
Cambodian 235 195 40 0
Chinese 53,205 45,220 7,540 445
Filipino 34,030 29,865 4,065 100
Hmong 0 0 0 0
Indonesian 850 685 155 15
Japanese 2,890 1,220 800 875
Khmer 30 30 10 0
Korean 6,120 5,375 740 0
Laotian 810 685 125 0
Malaysian 835 745 70 15
Mongolian 125 85 35 0
Singaporean 90 80 10 0
Taiwanese 570 525 45 0
Thai 180 145 35 0
Tibetan 100 105 0 0
Vietnamese 12,130 10,680 1,415 35
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 21 620 520 70 35
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 22 35 25 0 10
Oceania origins 1,055 585 350 125
Australian 535 235 205 90
New Zealander 140 45 65 25
Pacific Islands origins 385 295 80 0
Fijian 310 255 50 0
Hawaiian 15 10 0 10
Maori 25 0 20 0
Polynesian 0 0 0 0
Samoan 0 0 0 0
Pacific Islander, n.i.e.Footnote 23 25 20 10 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

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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