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 Burlington, CY
Ethnic origin (247) Generation status (4)
Total - Generation status 1st generationFootnote 2 2nd generationFootnote 3 3rd generation or moreFootnote 4
Total - Ethnic originFootnote 5 132,695 35,620 33,265 63,810
British Isles origins 76,115 13,390 17,940 44,785
Cornish 20 0 10 10
English 47,695 8,460 11,445 27,790
Irish 26,465 2,980 5,165 18,325
Manx 10 0 0 10
Scottish 31,155 4,150 6,950 20,045
Welsh 2,975 685 610 1,675
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 6 3,570 745 910 1,915
French origins 12,290 920 1,625 9,745
Acadian 115 0 10 105
French 12,235 925 1,625 9,690
Aboriginal origins 1,875 50 225 1,595
Inuit 25 0 0 25
Métis 420 10 50 365
North American Indian 1,475 50 180 1,250
Other North American origins 29,990 955 5,630 23,400
American 1,575 390 540 645
Canadian 28,885 595 5,265 23,030
Newfoundlander 85 0 55 25
Nova Scotian 0 0 0 0
Ontarian 0 0 0 0
Québécois 15 0 0 15
Other provincial or regional groups 0 0 0 0
Caribbean origins 1,655 890 600 160
Antiguan 15 0 0 10
Bahamian 10 10 0 0
Barbadian 200 65 80 55
Bermudan 20 0 10 10
Carib 10 0 0 0
Cuban 80 70 0 10
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 7 30 10 15 10
Grenadian 35 25 10 0
Guyanese 110 50 45 15
Haitian 15 0 10 0
Jamaican 725 400 275 50
Kittitian/Nevisian 25 10 25 0
Martinican 0 0 0 0
Montserratan 10 10 0 0
Puerto Rican 25 15 10 0
St. Lucian 0 0 0 0
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 255 150 95 15
Vincentian/Grenadinian 0 0 0 0
West Indian 220 95 105 20
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 8 20 20 10 0
Latin, Central and South American origins 1,100 860 205 40
Aboriginal from Central/South America 45 40 0 0
Argentinian 70 35 30 0
Belizean 0 0 0 0
Bolivian 0 0 0 0
Brazilian 90 50 35 0
Chilean 95 60 20 10
Colombian 305 260 35 10
Costa Rican 0 0 0 0
Ecuadorian 0 10 0 0
Guatemalan 35 10 15 10
Hispanic 30 15 10 0
Honduran 0 0 0 0
Maya 10 10 0 0
Mexican 140 125 10 0
Nicaraguan 0 10 0 0
Panamanian 0 0 0 0
Paraguayan 0 0 0 0
Peruvian 70 55 15 0
Salvadorean 70 60 10 0
Uruguayan 45 40 10 0
Venezuelan 35 40 0 0
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 9 95 85 10 0
European origins 50,835 14,415 17,245 19,175
Western European origins 20,175 4,505 6,305 9,360
Austrian 1,230 290 455 485
Belgian 450 95 180 170
Dutch (Netherlands) 6,555 1,740 2,485 2,335
Flemish 45 0 10 35
Frisian 20 20 0 0
German 12,715 2,490 3,390 6,835
Luxembourger 10 0 0 10
Swiss 460 120 100 240
Northern European origins 3,165 630 880 1,650
Finnish 465 70 185 220
Scandinavian origins 2,760 570 750 1,440
Danish 835 315 300 220
Icelandic 275 10 40 220
Norwegian 710 145 190 375
Swedish 980 125 230 625
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 10 90 15 20 55
Eastern European origins 16,510 4,510 5,350 6,645
Baltic origins 890 275 395 220
Estonian 240 95 95 45
Latvian 290 85 110 90
Lithuanian 380 100 190 85
Byelorussian 40 25 15 0
Czech and Slovak origins 1,760 545 685 535
Czech 755 215 295 245
Czechoslovakian 270 90 140 45
Slovak 760 245 255 255
Hungarian (Magyar) 2,330 595 885 845
Polish 6,400 2,015 2,090 2,290
Romanian 795 345 165 280
Russian 1,360 530 330 505
Ukrainian 5,305 580 1,565 3,160
Southern European origins 15,830 5,475 6,515 3,835
Albanian 45 40 0 0
Bosnian 90 65 30 0
Bulgarian 145 100 15 35
Croatian 1,455 625 665 170
Cypriot 40 10 30 0
Greek 810 295 390 115
Italian 8,430 1,735 3,690 3,005
Kosovar 15 15 0 0
Macedonian 190 60 85 45
Maltese 465 120 205 145
Montenegrin 10 10 0 0
Portuguese 1,920 1,085 775 65
Serbian 535 365 135 35
Sicilian 25 0 0 25
Slovenian 485 150 285 50
Spanish 1,330 855 325 145
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 11 530 205 220 110
Other European origins 720 295 185 235
Basque 25 10 0 10
Gypsy (Roma) 30 10 15 0
Jewish 620 250 160 205
Slav (European) 20 15 10 0
European, n.i.e.Footnote 12 25 10 0 15
African origins 1,100 770 190 135
Afrikaner 25 15 10 0
Akan 0 0 0 0
Amhara 0 0 0 0
Angolan 0 0 0 0
Ashanti 0 0 0 0
Bantu 0 0 0 0
Black 165 95 30 30
Burundian 30 30 0 0
Cameroonian 0 0 0 0
Chadian 0 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 20 20 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 13 0 0 0 0
Dinka 0 0 0 0
East African 45 20 30 0
Eritrean 10 10 0 0
Ethiopian 0 0 0 0
Gabonese 0 0 0 0
Gambian 0 0 0 0
Ghanaian 45 20 20 0
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 14 0 0 0 0
Harari 0 0 0 0
Ibo 0 0 0 0
Ivorian 0 0 0 0
Kenyan 20 25 0 0
Malagasy 0 0 0 0
Malian 0 0 0 0
Mauritian 25 10 20 0
Nigerian 15 10 10 0
Oromo 0 0 0 0
Peulh 0 0 0 0
Rwandan 0 10 0 0
Senegalese 0 0 0 0
Seychellois 0 0 0 0
Sierra Leonean 0 0 0 0
Somali 15 10 10 0
South African 205 155 30 20
Sudanese 0 0 0 0
Tanzanian 0 0 0 0
Tigrian 0 0 0 0
Togolese 0 0 0 0
Ugandan 0 0 0 0
Yoruba 0 0 0 0
Zambian 20 20 0 0
Zimbabwean 35 35 0 0
Zulu 0 0 0 0
African, n.i.e.Footnote 15 425 300 40 80
Arab origins 1,445 1,060 255 130
Egyptian 290 230 55 10
Iraqi 75 75 0 0
Jordanian 0 0 0 0
Kuwaiti 10 10 0 0
Lebanese 505 285 105 110
Libyan 0 10 0 0
Maghrebi origins 30 35 0 0
Algerian 10 10 0 0
Berber 0 0 0 0
Moroccan 20 25 0 0
Tunisian 0 0 0 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 16 0 0 0 0
Palestinian 150 135 15 0
Saudi Arabian 0 0 0 0
Syrian 220 175 40 0
Yemeni 0 0 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 17 325 250 65 10
West Asian origins 1,135 825 210 95
Afghan 225 195 25 0
Armenian 185 70 65 55
Assyrian 40 35 15 0
Azerbaijani 15 15 0 0
Georgian 10 0 0 0
Iranian 345 300 45 0
Israeli 10 10 0 10
Kurd 25 25 0 0
Pashtun 0 0 0 0
Tatar 0 0 0 0
Turk 295 185 75 30
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 18 15 15 0 0
South Asian origins 3,985 3,230 695 60
Bangladeshi 0 0 0 0
Bengali 15 15 0 0
East Indian 3,230 2,595 590 50
Goan 20 10 10 0
Gujarati 10 0 0 0
Kashmiri 0 0 0 0
Nepali 0 0 0 0
Pakistani 230 195 35 0
Punjabi 355 280 80 0
Sinhalese 10 15 0 0
Sri Lankan 140 120 10 10
Tamil 10 0 0 0
South Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 150 145 0 0
East and Southeast Asian origins 4,055 2,960 825 270
Burmese 10 10 0 0
Cambodian 10 10 0 0
Chinese 2,070 1,540 430 105
Filipino 650 525 100 25
Hmong 0 0 0 0
Indonesian 45 35 10 0
Japanese 350 110 105 140
Khmer 0 0 0 0
Korean 490 370 120 0
Laotian 75 50 20 0
Malaysian 35 15 15 0
Mongolian 0 0 0 0
Singaporean 0 0 0 0
Taiwanese 50 50 0 0
Thai 70 75 0 0
Tibetan 0 0 0 0
Vietnamese 370 315 50 0
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 20 25 25 0 0
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 21 0 0 0 0
Oceania origins 235 90 105 40
Australian 175 50 90 30
New Zealander 35 25 10 10
Pacific Islands origins 20 10 0 0
Fijian 10 10 0 0
Hawaiian 10 0 0 10
Maori 0 0 0 0
Polynesian 0 0 0 0
Samoan 10 0 0 0
Pacific Islander, n.i.e.Footnote 22 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

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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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

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Footnote 7

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

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Footnote 8

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

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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.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 14

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

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Footnote 15

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

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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.o.s.' means 'not otherwise specified.'

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Footnote 22

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

Footnote a

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Footnote d

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