More information on Visible minority population

Censuses:

2006 (1/5 sample), 2001 (1/5 sample), 1996 (1/5 sample)

Reported for:

Total population, excluding institutional residents

Question number:

Derived variable: Question 19

Responses:

Chinese, South Asian, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Southeast Asian, Arab, West Asian, Korean, Japanese, Visible minority, n.i.e. (n.i.e. means 'not included elsewhere'), Multiple visible minority, Not a visible minority

Remarks:

Visible minority population is derived from population group (Question 19). For information on the population group question in the 2006 Census, refer to the definition of Population group.

Persons who reported 'Yes' to Question 18 (Aboriginal peoples) were not asked the Population group question but are included in the 'Not a visible minority' category in the Visible minority population variable, along with persons reporting other selected groups such as 'White'.

The 1996 Census was the first time a question on the population group was asked in the census and used to derive counts for visible minorities. Prior to 1996, data on visible minorities were derived from responses to the ethnic origin question, in conjunction with other ethnocultural information, such as language, place of birth and religion.

For additional information on how the Visible minority population variable is derived and on the comparability of data for the visible minority population over time, refer to the Visible Minority Population and Population Group Reference Guide, 2006 Census.