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 Vancouver, CYFootnote 2
Ethnic origin (247) Generation status (4)
Total - Generation status 1st generationFootnote 3 2nd generationFootnote 4 3rd generation or moreFootnote 5
Total - Ethnic originFootnote 6 497,830 269,375 103,300 125,155
British Isles origins 148,155 26,065 39,085 83,005
Cornish 95 15 55 20
English 89,920 16,540 23,875 49,500
Irish 53,700 7,430 12,405 33,865
Manx 90 0 30 60
Scottish 66,610 8,750 16,070 41,790
Welsh 8,565 1,555 2,295 4,715
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 7 8,890 1,815 2,865 4,215
French origins 29,710 4,365 5,380 19,965
Acadian 435 50 50 340
French 29,385 4,315 5,340 19,725
Aboriginal origins 12,300 415 1,770 10,115
Inuit 75 0 20 55
Métis 2,840 20 450 2,370
North American Indian 9,780 395 1,350 8,035
Other North American origins 49,140 4,265 12,095 32,780
American 5,725 1,800 2,115 1,805
Canadian 44,755 2,620 10,630 31,505
Newfoundlander 90 0 20 70
Nova Scotian 80 10 40 30
Ontarian 0 0 0 0
Québécois 160 30 30 100
Other provincial or regional groups 45 0 10 40
Caribbean origins 2,745 1,250 1,245 245
Antiguan 15 10 0 0
Bahamian 10 0 10 0
Barbadian 235 90 130 15
Bermudan 10 0 10 0
Carib 20 10 15 0
Cuban 160 120 25 10
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 8 55 35 20 0
Grenadian 55 20 20 10
Guyanese 285 130 135 20
Haitian 75 65 10 0
Jamaican 940 455 395 85
Kittitian/Nevisian 0 0 0 0
Martinican 10 10 0 0
Montserratan 0 0 0 0
Puerto Rican 85 50 20 15
St. Lucian 35 25 10 0
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 520 155 315 50
Vincentian/Grenadinian 20 0 20 0
West Indian 235 105 110 15
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 9 165 50 90 25
Latin, Central and South American origins 7,830 6,455 1,210 165
Aboriginal from Central/South America 315 290 25 0
Argentinian 280 240 40 0
Belizean 15 0 0 0
Bolivian 50 25 20 0
Brazilian 390 300 70 20
Chilean 775 545 215 15
Colombian 575 485 70 25
Costa Rican 60 45 15 10
Ecuadorian 85 60 25 0
Guatemalan 255 225 30 0
Hispanic 175 140 30 0
Honduran 155 145 10 0
Maya 115 110 10 0
Mexican 2,280 1,890 345 45
Nicaraguan 300 265 35 0
Panamanian 45 25 15 0
Paraguayan 40 15 20 0
Peruvian 400 335 55 15
Salvadorean 1,420 1,225 185 0
Uruguayan 20 20 0 0
Venezuelan 160 130 25 0
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 10 335 290 25 20
European origins 145,035 51,345 41,035 52,650
Western European origins 53,030 13,820 16,435 22,770
Austrian 4,330 1,045 1,390 1,890
Belgian 1,385 355 355 675
Dutch (Netherlands) 10,910 2,705 4,425 3,780
Flemish 290 125 85 75
Frisian 30 25 0 10
German 37,985 9,875 10,855 17,255
Luxembourger 75 25 35 10
Swiss 2,490 805 870 815
Northern European origins 21,580 3,315 5,605 12,660
Finnish 2,330 595 655 1,080
Scandinavian origins 19,735 2,855 5,075 11,805
Danish 4,030 875 1,450 1,705
Icelandic 1,720 85 350 1,285
Norwegian 7,750 890 1,820 5,040
Swedish 7,070 1,185 1,670 4,210
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 11 690 100 135 450
Eastern European origins 45,175 14,045 11,495 19,630
Baltic origins 2,210 835 875 505
Estonian 545 220 215 110
Latvian 620 195 270 160
Lithuanian 1,100 450 410 245
Byelorussian 175 110 30 40
Czech and Slovak origins 3,960 1,965 1,045 950
Czech 2,385 1,215 645 525
Czechoslovakian 525 155 200 170
Slovak 1,165 685 220 260
Hungarian (Magyar) 4,930 2,085 1,620 1,225
Polish 12,625 4,315 3,490 4,815
Romanian 2,675 1,185 555 935
Russian 11,075 3,910 2,345 4,820
Ukrainian 15,475 1,860 3,600 10,010
Southern European origins 41,440 22,765 12,290 6,380
Albanian 90 85 0 0
Bosnian 560 550 10 0
Bulgarian 485 405 40 40
Croatian 2,665 1,445 1,025 190
Cypriot 65 25 40 0
Greek 5,230 2,490 2,120 620
Italian 16,270 6,625 5,595 4,050
Kosovar 0 0 0 0
Macedonian 230 180 25 25
Maltese 255 65 80 115
Montenegrin 150 130 20 10
Portuguese 5,050 3,195 1,550 305
Serbian 2,250 1,920 250 80
Sicilian 35 10 10 15
Slovenian 590 300 225 65
Spanish 9,080 6,665 1,590 825
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 12 1,120 510 410 200
Other European origins 11,315 4,550 3,095 3,665
Basque 185 70 45 65
Gypsy (Roma) 100 65 10 20
Jewish 9,480 3,850 2,710 2,920
Slav (European) 295 225 35 35
European, n.i.e.Footnote 13 1,475 430 335 715
African origins 4,445 3,035 965 445
Afrikaner 50 40 0 0
Akan 20 15 0 0
Amhara 30 30 0 0
Angolan 35 30 0 0
Ashanti 0 0 0 0
Bantu 20 20 0 0
Black 600 280 135 180
Burundian 0 0 0 0
Cameroonian 0 0 0 0
Chadian 0 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 20 20 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 14 10 0 0 0
Dinka 0 10 0 0
East African 90 40 45 0
Eritrean 100 80 15 0
Ethiopian 415 405 10 0
Gabonese 10 10 0 0
Gambian 0 0 0 0
Ghanaian 165 105 50 10
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 15 10 0 0 0
Harari 0 0 0 0
Ibo 10 15 0 0
Ivorian 0 0 0 0
Kenyan 130 110 25 0
Malagasy 15 15 0 0
Malian 0 10 0 0
Mauritian 70 60 10 0
Nigerian 150 125 20 0
Oromo 60 65 0 0
Peulh 0 0 0 0
Rwandan 20 20 0 0
Senegalese 25 25 0 0
Seychellois 15 10 10 0
Sierra Leonean 0 10 0 0
Somali 145 140 10 0
South African 870 555 265 45
Sudanese 40 40 0 0
Tanzanian 40 35 0 0
Tigrian 0 0 0 0
Togolese 0 10 0 0
Ugandan 60 55 10 0
Yoruba 45 25 0 25
Zambian 10 10 0 0
Zimbabwean 40 25 10 0
Zulu 10 0 0 10
African, n.i.e.Footnote 16 1,325 800 355 170
Arab origins 3,160 2,295 490 380
Egyptian 335 255 50 25
Iraqi 355 310 45 0
Jordanian 40 35 0 0
Kuwaiti 10 10 0 0
Lebanese 855 415 155 285
Libyan 0 0 0 0
Maghrebi origins 420 315 85 15
Algerian 105 85 20 0
Berber 55 55 0 0
Moroccan 200 145 45 10
Tunisian 25 15 15 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 17 35 25 10 0
Palestinian 215 180 35 10
Saudi Arabian 65 65 0 0
Syrian 210 130 50 30
Yemeni 30 25 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 18 810 725 60 20
West Asian origins 7,640 6,755 700 180
Afghan 515 490 25 0
Armenian 510 330 140 35
Assyrian 25 15 0 10
Azerbaijani 95 90 0 0
Georgian 40 20 0 15
Iranian 4,770 4,490 240 40
Israeli 330 170 135 25
Kurd 330 280 45 0
Pashtun 0 10 0 0
Tatar 55 55 0 0
Turk 915 735 140 40
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 365 350 10 10
South Asian origins 26,985 20,370 6,235 380
Bangladeshi 320 315 10 0
Bengali 180 175 0 0
East Indian 22,955 16,970 5,690 290
Goan 40 10 25 0
Gujarati 110 95 15 0
Kashmiri 40 25 15 0
Nepali 85 75 0 0
Pakistani 850 690 135 30
Punjabi 1,145 805 335 0
Sinhalese 120 115 0 0
Sri Lankan 1,030 940 45 45
Tamil 220 210 10 0
South Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 20 805 645 145 15
East and Southeast Asian origins 200,330 166,510 29,945 3,875
Burmese 245 200 40 10
Cambodian 565 425 130 0
Chinese 149,655 123,720 23,680 2,255
Filipino 24,080 21,240 2,645 185
Hmong 0 0 0 0
Indonesian 630 480 130 20
Japanese 9,400 5,915 2,135 1,350
Khmer 30 25 0 0
Korean 7,815 7,200 575 40
Laotian 200 165 35 0
Malaysian 970 705 245 15
Mongolian 190 120 30 45
Singaporean 80 40 35 10
Taiwanese 2,600 2,415 185 0
Thai 485 410 70 0
Tibetan 25 30 0 0
Vietnamese 10,160 8,690 1,410 60
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 21 305 255 30 15
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 22 10 0 0 0
Oceania origins 3,510 2,045 1,215 250
Australian 1,430 795 490 140
New Zealander 580 270 260 45
Pacific Islands origins 1,560 1,025 475 65
Fijian 1,285 875 400 10
Hawaiian 85 20 20 40
Maori 75 45 30 0
Polynesian 45 15 20 15
Samoan 40 35 0 0
Pacific Islander, n.i.e.Footnote 23 30 30 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%.

Data quality index showing, for the long census questionnaire (20% sample data), a global non response rate higher than or equal to 5% but lower than 10%.

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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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