More information on Generation status

Censuses:

2006 (1/5 sample), 2001 (1/5 sample), 1971 (1/3 sample)

Reported for:

Population 15 years of age and over, excluding institutional residents

Question numbers:

Derived variable: Questions 9 and 25 (a) and 25 (b)

Responses:

1st generation, 2nd generation, 3rd generation or more

Remarks:

Generation status is derived from place of birth of respondent (Question 9), place of birth of father (Question 25 [a]) and place of birth of mother (Question 25 [b]). For more information on the place of birth questions in the 2006 Census, refer to the definitions of Place of birth of respondent, Place of birth of father and Place of birth of mother.

Generation status includes three response categories, which are defined as follows:

1st generation

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 in Canada on Work or Study Permits or as refugee claimants, and any family members living with them in Canada).

2nd generation

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).

3rd generation or more

Persons born inside Canada with both parents born inside Canada (these persons may have grandparents born inside or outside Canada as well).