2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Ethnic Origin (247), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

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General information

Catalogue number :97-562-XCB2006006
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: 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 , single and multiple ethnic origin responses and sex for the population in Moose JawFootnote 1
Ethnic origin (247) Single and multiple ethnic origin responses (3)
Total - Single and multiple ethnic origin responsesFootnote 2 Single ethnic origin responsesFootnote 3 Multiple ethnic origin responsesFootnote 4
Total - Ethnic originFootnote 5 32,230 12,920 19,310
British Isles origins 18,395 3,695 14,695
Cornish 0 0 0
English 12,440 2,425 10,015
Irish 5,815 500 5,315
Manx 0 0 10
Scottish 7,690 735 6,950
Welsh 525 10 510
British Isles, n.i.e.Footnote 6 445 25 415
French origins 4,200 540 3,655
Acadian 35 10 20
French 4,180 535 3,645
Aboriginal origins 2,210 480 1,725
Inuit 0 0 10
Métis 1,050 195 855
North American Indian 1,275 290 985
Other North American origins 7,975 3,500 4,470
American 505 50 450
Canadian 7,610 3,445 4,165
Newfoundlander 0 0 0
Nova Scotian 0 0 0
Ontarian 0 0 0
Québécois 0 0 0
Other provincial or regional groups 10 0 0
Caribbean origins 95 50 40
Antiguan 0 0 0
Bahamian 0 0 0
Barbadian 15 10 0
Bermudan 0 0 0
Carib 0 0 0
Cuban 0 0 0
Dominican, n.o.s.Footnote 7 0 0 0
Grenadian 0 0 0
Guyanese 10 0 10
Haitian 0 0 0
Jamaican 35 25 10
Kittitian/Nevisian 0 0 0
Martinican 0 0 0
Montserratan 0 0 0
Puerto Rican 0 0 0
St. Lucian 0 0 0
Trinidadian/Tobagonian 10 10 0
Vincentian/Grenadinian 0 0 0
West Indian 25 0 15
Caribbean, n.i.e.Footnote 8 0 0 0
Latin, Central and South American origins 65 40 20
Aboriginal from Central/South America 0 0 0
Argentinian 0 0 0
Belizean 0 0 0
Bolivian 0 0 0
Brazilian 0 0 0
Chilean 15 15 0
Colombian 0 0 0
Costa Rican 0 0 0
Ecuadorian 0 0 0
Guatemalan 0 0 0
Hispanic 0 0 0
Honduran 0 0 0
Maya 0 0 0
Mexican 10 10 0
Nicaraguan 0 0 0
Panamanian 0 0 0
Paraguayan 0 0 0
Peruvian 0 0 0
Salvadorean 25 15 10
Uruguayan 0 0 0
Venezuelan 0 0 0
Latin, Central or South American, n.i.e.Footnote 9 10 0 15
European origins 16,845 4,010 12,835
Western European origins 9,960 2,140 7,820
Austrian 470 60 415
Belgian 165 25 140
Dutch (Netherlands) 1,135 190 945
Flemish 10 0 0
Frisian 0 0 0
German 8,630 1,835 6,795
Luxembourger 10 10 0
Swiss 150 15 135
Northern European origins 4,260 475 3,785
Finnish 100 0 100
Scandinavian origins 4,195 475 3,725
Danish 275 55 220
Icelandic 200 35 165
Norwegian 2,685 305 2,375
Swedish 1,165 70 1,095
Scandinavian, n.i.e.Footnote 10 225 10 215
Eastern European origins 6,140 1,175 4,965
Baltic origins 45 0 50
Estonian 0 0 0
Latvian 10 0 10
Lithuanian 40 0 40
Byelorussian 10 0 10
Czech and Slovak origins 255 30 225
Czech 165 10 160
Czechoslovakian 65 20 40
Slovak 40 0 40
Hungarian (Magyar) 555 135 425
Polish 1,485 165 1,325
Romanian 680 100 580
Russian 995 100 890
Ukrainian 3,175 645 2,530
Southern European origins 895 195 700
Albanian 15 15 0
Bosnian 40 10 30
Bulgarian 0 0 0
Croatian 135 20 110
Cypriot 0 0 0
Greek 100 15 85
Italian 395 30 365
Kosovar 80 80 0
Macedonian 0 0 0
Maltese 0 0 0
Montenegrin 0 0 0
Portuguese 0 0 0
Serbian 10 10 10
Sicilian 0 0 0
Slovenian 10 0 0
Spanish 160 10 150
Yugoslav, n.i.e.Footnote 11 50 0 45
Other European origins 100 35 65
Basque 0 0 0
Gypsy (Roma) 10 10 0
Jewish 45 0 45
Slav (European) 15 0 15
European, n.i.e.Footnote 12 20 20 0
African origins 195 165 25
Afrikaner 10 15 0
Akan 0 0 0
Amhara 0 0 0
Angolan 0 0 0
Ashanti 0 0 0
Bantu 0 0 0
Black 10 0 10
Burundian 0 0 0
Cameroonian 0 0 0
Chadian 0 0 0
Congolese (Zairian) 0 0 0
Congolese, n.o.s.Footnote 13 10 10 0
Dinka 0 0 0
East African 0 0 0
Eritrean 0 0 0
Ethiopian 0 0 0
Gabonese 0 0 0
Gambian 0 0 0
Ghanaian 0 0 0
Guinean, n.o.s.Footnote 14 0 0 0
Harari 0 0 0
Ibo 0 0 0
Ivorian 0 0 0
Kenyan 0 0 0
Malagasy 0 0 0
Malian 0 0 0
Mauritian 0 0 0
Nigerian 0 0 0
Oromo 0 0 0
Peulh 0 0 0
Rwandan 0 0 0
Senegalese 0 0 0
Seychellois 0 0 0
Sierra Leonean 10 0 0
Somali 0 0 0
South African 35 40 0
Sudanese 20 20 0
Tanzanian 0 0 0
Tigrian 0 0 0
Togolese 0 0 0
Ugandan 10 0 10
Yoruba 0 0 0
Zambian 0 0 0
Zimbabwean 0 0 0
Zulu 0 0 0
African, n.i.e.Footnote 15 95 85 10
Arab origins 25 0 25
Egyptian 0 0 0
Iraqi 0 0 0
Jordanian 0 0 0
Kuwaiti 0 0 0
Lebanese 15 0 20
Libyan 0 0 0
Maghrebi origins 0 0 10
Algerian 0 0 0
Berber 10 0 10
Moroccan 0 0 0
Tunisian 0 0 0
Maghrebi, n.i.e.Footnote 16 0 0 0
Palestinian 0 0 0
Saudi Arabian 0 0 0
Syrian 0 0 0
Yemeni 0 0 0
Arab, n.i.e.Footnote 17 0 0 0
West Asian origins 95 50 45
Afghan 55 45 10
Armenian 10 10 0
Assyrian 0 0 0
Azerbaijani 0 0 0
Georgian 0 0 0
Iranian 15 0 15
Israeli 0 0 0
Kurd 0 0 0
Pashtun 0 0 0
Tatar 0 0 0
Turk 20 0 20
West Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 18 0 0 0
South Asian origins 150 55 90
Bangladeshi 0 0 0
Bengali 0 0 0
East Indian 130 55 80
Goan 0 0 0
Gujarati 0 0 0
Kashmiri 0 0 0
Nepali 0 0 0
Pakistani 15 0 15
Punjabi 0 10 0
Sinhalese 0 0 0
Sri Lankan 0 0 0
Tamil 0 0 0
South Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 19 0 0 0
East and Southeast Asian origins 540 310 230
Burmese 0 0 0
Cambodian 25 25 0
Chinese 380 220 155
Filipino 50 30 25
Hmong 0 0 0
Indonesian 10 0 10
Japanese 40 20 20
Khmer 0 0 0
Korean 10 0 0
Laotian 0 0 0
Malaysian 10 0 10
Mongolian 0 0 0
Singaporean 0 0 0
Taiwanese 0 0 0
Thai 15 0 15
Tibetan 0 0 0
Vietnamese 15 0 20
East or Southeast Asian, n.i.e.Footnote 20 10 10 0
Asian, n.o.s.Footnote 21 0 0 0
Oceania origins 20 0 25
Australian 10 0 10
New Zealander 10 0 10
Pacific Islands origins 0 0 0
Fijian 0 0 0
Hawaiian 0 0 0
Maori 0 0 0
Polynesian 0 0 0
Samoan 0 0 0
Pacific Islander, n.i.e.Footnote 22 0 0 0

Footnotes

Footnote 1

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 2

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 3

A single ethnic origin response occurs when a respondent provides one ethnic origin only.

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Footnote 4

A multiple ethnic origin response occurs when a respondent provides two or more ethnic origins.

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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-XCB2006006.

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