2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Detailed Language Spoken Most Often at Home (186), Other Language Spoken Regularly at Home (9), Mother Tongue (8), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :97-555-XCB2006045
Release date :April 8, 2008
Topic :Language
Data dimensions :

Note

Note: Data quality - Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux)

When comparing the census results to those of the 2001 Census, it appears that there is some overestimation of persons reporting Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in British Columbia and, as a result, also at the Canada level. Although it affects a relatively small population, it is best to apply caution when analysing the census data for Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in these geographies.

For more information on factors that may explain such variances in census data, such as response errors and processing errors, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Appendix B Data quality, sampling and weighting, confidentiality and random rounding.

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 detailed language spoken most often at home , other language spoken regularly at home , mother tongue , age groups and sex for the population in CanadaFootnote 1
Detailed language spoken most often at home (186) Other language spoken regularly at home (9)
Total - Other language spoken regularly at home None English French Non-official language English and French English and non-official language French and non-official language English, French and non-official language
Total - Detailed language spoken most often at home 31,241,030 27,339,185 1,780,920 616,235 1,404,715 29,175 30,210 39,885 695
Single responses 30,665,025 26,790,190 1,776,295 610,375 1,388,525 29,175 30,115 39,655 695
English 20,584,775 18,853,915 0 485,905 1,206,335 0 0 38,610 0
French 6,608,125 5,953,155 517,275 0 120,230 0 17,460 0 0
Non-official languages 3,472,130 1,983,120 1,259,020 124,465 61,960 29,180 12,650 1,040 700
Aboriginal languages 129,340 73,615 51,040 4,205 155 280 25 10 0
Algonquian languages 87,520 49,515 33,615 4,030 120 205 15 0 10
Algonquin 390 215 90 70 0 10 0 0 0
Atikamekw 4,745 3,080 10 1,645 10 0 0 0 0
Blackfoot 1,575 1,190 380 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cree 47,190 27,570 19,245 130 55 170 0 10 0
Malecite 135 80 50 10 0 0 0 0 0
Mi'kmaq 3,985 1,445 2,525 10 0 0 0 0 0
Montagnais-Naskapi 9,725 7,115 435 2,160 10 10 0 0 0
Ojibway 11,115 5,370 5,685 0 35 10 10 0 0
Oji-Cree 8,480 3,390 5,085 0 0 0 0 0 0
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 180 55 105 0 10 10 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages 11,225 6,120 5,080 0 10 0 0 0 0
Carrier 605 375 230 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcotin 430 320 115 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chipewyan 120 75 50 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dene 7,490 3,970 3,515 10 10 0 0 0 0
Dogrib 1,110 485 620 0 10 0 0 0 0
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 20 10 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
North Slave (Hare) 655 440 210 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Slave 605 340 260 10 0 0 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 185 100 70 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haida 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages 30 10 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mohawk 20 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 10 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutenai 20 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 510 460 50 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shuswap 250 225 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 55 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages, n.i.e. 205 180 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 3,780 2,340 1,435 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tlingit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 565 450 105 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gitksan 315 225 90 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nisga'a 180 165 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian 65 60 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages 115 95 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nootka 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 105 85 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut 25,355 14,505 10,595 165 15 75 10 0 0
Inuinnaqtun 70 45 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 25,290 14,460 10,570 170 10 75 10 0 0
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 210 90 110 0 15 0 0 0 0
Romance languages 535,510 291,600 178,425 50,250 2,775 11,365 580 295 215
Italian 170,330 100,450 57,355 8,365 480 3,435 120 70 55
Portuguese 103,875 60,675 36,055 5,530 265 1,130 175 30 0
Romanian 51,060 25,900 15,935 6,240 630 2,185 90 60 15
Spanish 209,955 104,455 68,965 30,115 1,350 4,610 200 135 125
Romance languages, n.i.e. 290 110 120 0 40 0 0 0 20
Germanic languages 156,060 85,015 67,770 835 1,475 565 385 0 15
Dutch 14,235 7,055 6,935 75 65 40 45 0 10
Flemish 420 205 175 45 0 0 0 0 0
Frisian 245 65 150 0 20 0 10 0 0
German 128,345 71,300 54,565 605 1,145 455 270 0 10
Yiddish 5,700 3,765 1,700 10 185 20 25 0 0
Scandinavian languages 3,105 1,155 1,805 30 65 35 20 0 0
Danish 1,340 455 850 0 15 0 15 0 0
Icelandic 190 90 95 10 0 10 0 0 0
Norwegian 460 190 255 0 0 15 0 0 0
Swedish 1,110 420 600 20 45 20 10 0 0
Germanic languages, n.i.e. 4,000 1,470 2,440 70 0 10 10 0 0
Celtic languages 210 80 100 25 10 0 0 0 0
Gaelic languages 105 60 30 10 0 0 0 0 0
Welsh 90 25 65 0 0 0 0 0 0
Celtic languages, n.i.e. 15 0 0 15 0 0 0 0 0
Slavic languages 333,240 172,480 142,135 7,285 6,660 2,360 2,070 150 90
Belarusian (Byelorussian) 135 50 45 0 40 0 0 0 0
Bosnian 8,380 3,780 3,910 465 170 30 20 0 0
Bulgarian 11,810 6,860 3,710 910 135 155 30 0 0
Croatian 22,165 10,200 11,375 265 135 155 30 0 0
Czech 6,985 2,565 4,210 55 45 45 65 0 0
Macedonian 8,705 4,390 3,745 85 260 10 205 0 0
Polish 101,570 51,545 47,190 1,505 505 615 205 0 10
Russian 93,805 53,840 32,040 2,375 3,625 830 1,005 60 30
Serbian 34,775 17,525 16,255 560 200 155 60 15 0
Serbo-Croatian 6,540 3,125 2,540 665 90 90 35 0 0
Slovak 5,810 2,320 3,175 155 110 25 10 0 10
Slovenian 2,710 960 1,595 10 105 25 15 0 0
Ukrainian 28,055 14,360 11,645 165 1,180 210 395 55 50
Slavic languages, n.i.e. 1,795 960 705 60 65 0 0 0 0
Baltic languages 4,590 1,895 2,555 10 40 35 35 0 10
Latvian 2,005 705 1,255 0 10 25 15 0 10
Lithuanian 2,585 1,190 1,305 10 40 15 15 0 0
Finno-Ugric languages 28,245 13,250 13,960 270 365 235 120 35 15
Estonian 2,155 840 1,280 10 15 10 0 0 0
Finnish 4,190 2,085 2,040 0 60 0 0 0 0
Hungarian 21,905 10,325 10,640 265 285 230 115 30 10
Greek 55,100 29,950 23,310 505 285 910 100 20 10
Armenian 21,480 12,145 6,005 1,185 935 1,045 70 25 75
Turkic languages 17,820 9,530 5,885 1,250 830 155 150 0 10
Azerbaijani 775 255 285 0 195 10 35 0 0
Turkish 15,885 8,565 5,335 1,225 520 140 75 10 10
Turkic languages, n.i.e. 1,160 710 270 25 120 10 35 0 0
Afro-Asiatic languages 191,510 90,130 65,135 27,245 3,015 5,285 465 155 75
Berber languages (Kabyle) 570 90 0 455 10 0 0 20 0
Cushitic languages 18,445 9,995 7,055 575 360 315 90 0 55
Oromo 1,400 690 645 0 50 0 0 0 0
Somali 17,045 9,305 6,405 575 310 315 80 0 55
Semitic languages 170,230 79,315 58,045 24,965 2,445 4,965 375 100 20
Amharic 8,230 4,075 3,630 110 325 20 50 0 0
Arabic 144,745 67,300 46,860 24,695 950 4,755 90 85 15
Hebrew 8,650 4,000 3,675 135 575 160 90 10 0
Maltese 1,155 355 795 0 0 10 0 0 0
Tigrigna 3,550 1,775 1,470 0 270 15 10 0 0
Semitic languages, n.i.e. 3,905 1,805 1,620 25 320 10 125 0 0
Afro-Asiatic languages, n.i.e. 2,265 735 35 1,250 205 10 0 35 0
Indo-Iranian languages 637,440 372,050 239,475 3,345 16,180 2,070 4,220 65 35
Indo-Aryan languages 523,445 303,935 199,195 1,515 13,570 1,405 3,760 40 15
Bengali 33,565 18,510 13,810 445 310 335 145 0 0
Gujarati 52,720 27,855 22,525 200 1,290 205 640 0 0
Hindi 42,875 18,835 21,230 45 2,090 80 565 20 0
Konkani 585 260 275 0 25 0 20 0 0
Marathi 2,565 905 1,525 0 125 0 10 0 0
Panjabi (Punjabi) 278,500 178,665 92,360 535 5,080 345 1,495 15 10
Sindhi 5,050 2,250 2,360 10 245 30 155 0 0
Sinhala (Sinhalese) 4,780 2,000 2,710 0 50 10 10 0 0
Urdu 102,810 54,655 42,405 275 4,355 395 715 0 10
Iranian languages 108,875 65,405 38,355 1,800 2,215 655 400 20 15
Kurdish 4,950 2,645 1,525 245 425 40 60 10 0
Pashto 6,705 3,780 2,440 25 340 55 60 0 0
Persian (Farsi) 97,220 58,975 34,390 1,530 1,450 560 275 15 20
Indo-Iranian languages, n.i.e. 5,120 2,700 1,920 25 400 15 60 0 0
Dravidian languages 103,515 57,990 43,895 565 550 295 195 10 15
Kannada 1,180 400 695 0 55 0 30 0 0
Malayalam 5,695 2,405 3,115 10 95 0 55 0 0
Tamil 92,680 53,750 37,855 555 180 285 35 10 15
Telugu 3,865 1,410 2,160 0 210 10 80 0 0
Dravidian languages, n.i.e. 95 25 65 0 10 0 0 0 0
Japanese 19,540 11,825 7,215 170 270 20 30 10 0
Korean 101,495 66,760 33,610 415 425 190 70 15 0
Sino-Tibetan languages 800,435 522,950 246,395 5,695 20,745 1,675 2,800 120 50
Chinese languages 796,145 520,725 244,540 5,685 20,580 1,680 2,775 120 45
Cantonese 300,595 202,695 88,575 1,035 7,035 300 905 30 15
Chaochow (Teochow) 745 420 185 10 105 0 30 0 0
Fukien 1,915 905 520 0 320 0 170 0 0
Hakka 2,225 1,170 745 0 295 0 15 0 0
Mandarin 143,385 88,725 47,255 535 5,795 305 740 20 10
Shanghainese 1,220 675 250 10 275 0 10 0 0
Taiwanese 4,580 1,985 895 10 1,570 0 110 0 0
Chinese, n.o.s.Footnote 2 341,480 224,145 106,110 4,090 5,180 1,070 795 65 25
Tibetan languages 2,850 1,590 1,160 10 60 0 30 0 0
Sino-Tibetan languages, n.i.e. 1,440 630 695 0 110 0 0 0 0
Tai languages 10,440 6,150 2,770 1,260 175 65 25 0 0
Lao 8,555 4,970 2,160 1,230 110 55 25 0 0
Thai 1,885 1,175 605 30 70 10 0 0 0
Austro-Asiatic languages 122,870 78,365 33,705 6,915 2,720 920 180 50 15
Khmer (Cambodian) 11,430 6,625 2,665 1,645 370 100 0 0 10
Vietnamese 111,440 71,740 31,035 5,270 2,345 825 175 45 10
Malayo-Polynesian languages 135,845 52,880 78,335 330 3,240 190 850 10 0
Bisayan languages 4,610 1,935 2,315 10 245 10 105 0 0
Ilocano 5,925 2,545 2,620 0 530 10 215 0 0
Malay 3,680 1,905 1,605 10 135 0 25 0 0
Pampango 920 365 465 0 30 0 55 0 0
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) 119,340 45,470 70,795 250 2,250 155 410 10 0
Malayo-Polynesian languages, n.i.e. 1,370 650 535 65 50 15 45 10 0
Niger-Congo languages 20,145 8,755 7,795 2,435 435 590 45 50 35
Akan (Twi) 7,335 3,730 3,395 65 60 55 25 0 0
Bantu languages 8,255 3,055 2,525 1,875 320 390 20 35 30
Lingala 835 355 35 365 30 45 0 10 0
Rundi (Kirundi) 1,420 535 90 640 25 95 0 10 20
Rwanda (Kinyarwanda) 850 310 120 285 10 115 0 0 10
Shona 675 215 425 0 30 0 0 0 0
Swahili 2,925 1,080 1,190 425 100 115 10 10 0
Bantu languages, n.i.e. 1,545 565 670 160 130 15 0 10 0
Edo 205 95 110 0 0 0 0 0 0
Igbo 340 155 185 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wolof 320 85 0 130 0 100 0 0 0
Niger-Congo languages, n.i.e. 3,690 1,630 1,570 360 55 50 10 20 0
African languages, n.i.e. 3,785 2,040 1,275 120 155 90 95 0 0
Creoles 21,605 9,835 1,520 9,365 130 730 10 0 20
Non-verbal languages 8,415 7,300 865 195 40 0 10 0 0
American Sign Language 1,690 1,245 405 10 20 0 0 0 0
Quebec Sign Language 685 520 0 150 0 0 0 0 0
Sign languages, n.i.e. 6,045 5,535 455 30 10 0 0 0 0
Other languages 13,480 6,515 5,830 570 350 90 115 0 0
Multiple responses 576,000 548,995 4,630 5,865 16,185 0 95 235 0
English and French 94,060 87,140 0 0 6,920 0 0 0 0
English and non-official language 406,455 392,095 0 5,865 8,265 0 0 230 0
French and non-official language 58,885 53,550 4,630 0 610 0 95 0 0
English, French and non-official language 16,600 16,210 0 0 390 0 0 0 0

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

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Footnote 2

The 2006 category 'Chinese, n.o.s.' includes responses of 'Chinese' as well as all Chinese languages other than Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese, Chaochow (Teochow), Fukien, Hakka and Shanghainese. Data for the 'Chinese, n.o.s.' category in 2001 and 2006 are not directly comparable. The 2001 category 'Chinese, n.o.s.' is equivalent to the sum of the 2006 categories 'Chinese, n.o.s.' and 'Chaochow (Teochow),' 'Fukien,' 'Shanghainese' and Taiwanese.'

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-555-XCB2006045.

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