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 Thorold, 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 14,935 2,585 3,840 8,510
British Isles origins 7,395 630 1,615 5,145
Cornish 0 0 0 0
English 4,640 335 1,035 3,275
Irish 2,630 170 450 2,005
Manx 0 0 0 0
Scottish 2,895 210 460 2,225
Welsh 285 10 95 185
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 7 255 25 90 145
French origins 1,770 25 230 1,515
Acadian 15 0 0 15
French 1,765 25 230 1,510
Aboriginal origins 425 0 45 385
Inuit 15 0 0 15
Métis 75 0 0 70
North American Indian 340 0 40 300
Other North American origins 3,885 70 655 3,160
American 160 25 75 55
Canadian 3,780 50 615 3,115
Newfoundlander 20 0 0 15
Nova Scotian 0 0 0 0
Ontarian 0 0 0 0
Québécois 0 0 0 0
Other provincial or regional groups 0 0 0 0
Caribbean origins 55 20 25 10
Antiguan 0 0 0 0
Bahamian 0 0 0 0
Barbadian 0 0 0 0
Bermudan 0 0 0 0
Carib 0 0 0 0
Cuban 0 0 0 0
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 8 0 0 0 0
Grenadian 0 0 0 0
Guyanese 10 0 10 0
Haitian 0 0 0 0
Jamaican 25 10 10 0
Kittitian/Nevisian 0 0 0 0
Martinican 0 0 0 0
Montserratan 0 0 0 0
Puerto Rican 10 0 10 0
St. Lucian 0 0 0 0
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 0 0 0 0
Vincentian/Grenadinian 0 0 0 0
West Indian 0 0 0 0
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 9 15 10 0 0
Latin, Central and South American origins 45 25 20 0
Aboriginal from Central/South America 0 0 0 0
Argentinian 10 0 0 0
Belizean 0 0 0 0
Bolivian 0 0 0 0
Brazilian 0 0 10 0
Chilean 0 0 0 0
Colombian 10 0 0 0
Costa Rican 0 0 0 0
Ecuadorian 0 0 0 0
Guatemalan 0 0 0 0
Hispanic 0 0 0 0
Honduran 0 0 0 0
Maya 0 0 0 0
Mexican 10 10 0 0
Nicaraguan 0 0 0 0
Panamanian 0 0 0 0
Paraguayan 0 0 0 0
Peruvian 15 10 0 0
Salvadorean 0 0 0 0
Uruguayan 0 0 0 0
Venezuelan 10 0 0 0
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 10 0 0 0 0
European origins 7,660 1,815 2,725 3,115
Western European origins 2,550 290 745 1,510
Austrian 120 0 45 75
Belgian 25 0 10 15
Dutch (Netherlands) 610 90 250 265
Flemish 0 0 0 0
Frisian 0 0 0 0
German 1,835 200 450 1,180
Luxembourger 0 0 0 0
Swiss 50 10 20 25
Northern European origins 220 15 60 145
Finnish 40 0 0 30
Scandinavian origins 180 10 50 110
Danish 45 15 20 0
Icelandic 20 0 0 10
Norwegian 75 0 10 65
Swedish 45 0 15 30
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 11 10 0 0 0
Eastern European origins 1,960 270 725 960
Baltic origins 55 0 20 30
Estonian 10 0 10 10
Latvian 20 0 0 20
Lithuanian 15 0 10 0
Byelorussian 0 0 0 0
Czech and Slovak origins 190 60 60 70
Czech 30 20 0 20
Czechoslovakian 25 0 10 15
Slovak 135 45 50 40
Hungarian (Magyar) 235 10 105 115
Polish 600 115 220 265
Romanian 40 10 0 35
Russian 45 10 10 25
Ukrainian 1,005 80 380 540
Southern European origins 3,780 1,305 1,460 1,010
Albanian 0 0 0 0
Bosnian 30 0 10 20
Bulgarian 10 0 10 0
Croatian 150 70 50 30
Cypriot 0 0 0 0
Greek 50 15 25 0
Italian 3,425 1,165 1,295 965
Kosovar 0 0 0 0
Macedonian 0 0 0 0
Maltese 15 0 0 0
Montenegrin 0 0 0 0
Portuguese 40 25 15 0
Serbian 30 30 0 0
Sicilian 10 0 15 0
Slovenian 45 20 20 0
Spanish 35 15 10 10
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 12 25 0 10 0
Other European origins 60 10 10 40
Basque 0 0 0 0
Gypsy (Roma) 0 0 0 0
Jewish 20 0 10 15
Slav (European) 0 0 10 0
European, n.i.e.Footnote 13 35 10 0 25
African origins 35 30 0 10
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 0 0 0 0
Black 10 0 10 10
Burundian 0 0 0 0
Cameroonian 0 0 0 0
Chadian 0 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 0 0 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 14 0 0 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 0 0 0 0
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 15 0 0 0 0
Harari 0 0 0 0
Ibo 0 0 0 0
Ivorian 0 0 0 0
Kenyan 0 0 0 0
Malagasy 0 0 0 0
Malian 0 0 0 0
Mauritian 0 0 0 0
Nigerian 0 0 0 0
Oromo 0 0 0 0
Peulh 0 0 0 0
Rwandan 0 0 0 0
Senegalese 0 0 0 0
Seychellois 0 0 0 0
Sierra Leonean 0 0 0 0
Somali 0 0 0 0
South African 0 0 0 0
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 0 0 0 0
Zimbabwean 0 0 0 0
Zulu 0 0 0 0
African, n.i.e.Footnote 16 25 30 0 0
Arab origins 25 0 10 10
Egyptian 0 0 0 0
Iraqi 0 0 0 0
Jordanian 0 0 0 0
Kuwaiti 0 0 0 0
Lebanese 15 0 10 0
Libyan 0 0 0 0
Maghrebi origins 0 0 0 0
Algerian 0 0 0 0
Berber 0 0 0 0
Moroccan 0 0 0 0
Tunisian 0 0 0 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 17 0 0 0 0
Palestinian 0 0 0 0
Saudi Arabian 0 0 0 0
Syrian 10 10 0 10
Yemeni 0 0 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 18 0 0 0 0
West Asian origins 15 10 0 10
Afghan 0 0 0 0
Armenian 10 0 0 10
Assyrian 0 0 0 0
Azerbaijani 0 0 0 0
Georgian 0 0 0 0
Iranian 10 10 0 0
Israeli 0 0 0 0
Kurd 0 0 0 0
Pashtun 0 0 0 0
Tatar 0 0 0 0
Turk 0 0 0 0
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 0 0 0 0
South Asian origins 65 50 10 0
Bangladeshi 0 0 0 0
Bengali 0 0 0 0
East Indian 40 25 10 0
Goan 0 0 0 0
Gujarati 0 0 0 0
Kashmiri 0 0 0 0
Nepali 0 0 0 0
Pakistani 20 20 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 65 60 10 0
Burmese 0 0 0 0
Cambodian 0 0 0 0
Chinese 35 25 10 0
Filipino 30 30 0 0
Hmong 0 0 0 0
Indonesian 0 0 0 0
Japanese 0 0 0 0
Khmer 0 0 0 0
Korean 0 0 0 0
Laotian 0 0 0 0
Malaysian 0 0 0 0
Mongolian 0 0 0 0
Singaporean 0 0 0 0
Taiwanese 0 0 0 0
Thai 0 0 0 0
Tibetan 0 0 0 0
Vietnamese 0 0 0 0
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 21 10 10 0 0
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 22 0 0 0 0
Oceania origins 0 0 10 0
Australian 0 0 0 10
New Zealander 0 0 0 0
Pacific Islands origins 0 0 0 0
Fijian 0 0 0 0
Hawaiian 0 0 0 0
Maori 0 0 0 0
Polynesian 0 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%.

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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