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Population and Dwelling Count Highlight Tables, 2011 Census

Notes

Incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements

In 2011, there were a total of 31 Indian reserves and Indian settlements that were 'incompletely enumerated.' For these reserves or settlements, enumeration was either not permitted or was interrupted before it could be completed, or enumeration was not possible because of natural events (specifically forest fires in Northern Ontario).

Compared to previous censuses, there was a decrease in the number of band councils that did not give permission to enter their territory to conduct the census, from 18 Indian reserves and Indian settlements in 2006 to 14 in 2011.

There were 13 Indian reserves and Indian settlements where enumeration was not possible as a result of forest fires in Northern Ontario at the time of census collection. Collection for these communities was done at a later time. While the data are not included in the 2011 Census tabulations, it is expected that separate special tables showing data for these communities will be made available at a later date, subject to data quality evaluation.

The 2011 Census population and dwelling counts are not available for the 31 incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements, and are not included in 2011 Census tabulations. Data for geographic areas containing one or more of these reserves and settlements are noted accordingly. Because of the missing data, users are cautioned that for the affected geographic areas, comparisons (e.g., percentage change) between 2006 and 2011 are not precise. The impact of the missing data for higher-level geographic areas (Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations) is very small. However, the impact can be significant for smaller areas, where the incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements account for a higher proportion of the population.

Appendix 1 provides the list of incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements for the 2011 Census, along with population counts from the last two censuses (where available).

Appendix 2 shows the list of incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements for the 2011 Census by province, census division and, where applicable, for the census metropolitan area or census agglomeration.

Appendix 3 shows the results for the 2011 Census, by province and territory, of the estimated population for the incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements. Note that in the Atlantic provinces and in the three territories, there are no incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

Non-permanent residents

In the 1991 to 2011 censuses of population, Canadian citizens by birth, permanent residents/immigrants and non permanent residents of Canada were enumerated. Non permanent residents are persons who held a study or work permit or who were refugee claimants on Census Day. Family members living with them are also non permanent residents. In 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses, non permanent residents included persons who held a Minister's permit; this was discontinued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior to the 2006 Census.

Prior to 1991, non-permanent residents of Canada were not part of the census universe (except for in 1941) and hence were not included in the census.

The presence of non-permanent residents affects the demand for government services such 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, the inclusion of non permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the UN recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

Since the census started collecting data on non-permanent residents in 1991, their proportion of the total population has remained slightly under 1%. The 2006 Census enumerated 265,360 non-permanent residents in Canada, representing 0.8% of the total population.

Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universes. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991 to 2011 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a higher concentration of non-permanent residents. Such areas include major census metropolitan areas in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties and the reluctance to complete a government form - or to understand the need to participate - may have affected the enumeration of this population. In 2011, non-permanent residents are identified through the National Household Survey. The estimate of non-permanent residents will not be known until the release of the immigration data in 2013.

Adjustment of population counts

Statistics Canada is committed to protect the privacy of all Canadians and the confidentiality of the data they provide to us. As part of this commitment, some population counts of geographic areas are adjusted in order to ensure confidentiality.

Counts of the total population are rounded to a base of 5 for any dissemination block having a population of less than 15. Population counts for all standard geographic areas above the dissemination block level are derived by summing the adjusted dissemination block counts. The adjustment of dissemination block counts is controlled to ensure that the population counts for dissemination areas will always be within 5 of the actual values. The adjustment has no impact on the population counts of census divisions and large census subdivisions. Population counts of federal electoral districts will be within 7 of the actual values. Dwelling counts are unadjusted.

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