Place of Birth, Generation Status, Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2016

Release date: October 25, 2017

Definitions and concepts

The 2016 Census of Population collects social and economic data on the Canadian population, including information on place of birth, place of birth of parents, citizenship and immigrant status.

The place of birth question helps to determine the Canadian province or territory or the country outside Canada in which the respondent was born. It provides information on the diversity of the Canadian population and on population movements within Canada and from other countries to Canada.

The place of birth of father and place of birth of mother questions in the Census of Population help to determine the country in which each of the respondent's parents was born. When used in combination with the question on the place of birth of person, they help to derive the generation status, and thereby establish whether the person is in the first, second, or third generation or more. The generation status provides information on the diversity of Canada's population and makes it possible to study how the children of immigrants are integrating into Canadian society. This information also helps to understand how Canada's immigration history has shaped the different generations of Canadians who make up today's population.

The citizenship question provides information on the legal citizenship status of Canada's population. This information is used to estimate the number of potential voters and to plan citizenship classes and programs. It also provides information about the population with multiple citizenships and the number of immigrants in Canada who hold Canadian citizenship.

The immigrant status and year of immigration questions provide information on the number of immigrants and the year in which they immigrated. Information on the age at immigration is derived from the immigrant's date of birth and year of immigration. "Immigrant" refers to a person who is, or who has ever been, a landed immigrant or permanent resident. Such a person has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group. This information is used to compare the social and economic conditions of immigrants over time; to evaluate employment and immigration policies and programs; and to plan education, health care and other services.

When combined, the citizenship and immigrant status questions also make it possible to identify non-permanent residents in Canada. People who are not Canadian citizens by birth, and who answered "no" to the immigrant status question, are considered to be non-permanent residents. "Non-permanent residents" includes persons from another country who have a work or study permit or who are refugee claimants, and their family members sharing the same permit and living in Canada with them.

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 and provide information for planning services, such as health care, education and employment programs.

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 estimate of this population.

New for the 2016 Census, the admission category and applicant type variables provide information on the conditions under which immigrants have been granted the right to live in Canada. Applicant type is most often used in combination with admission category, particularly with the economic immigrant categories, in which principal applicants are selected based on their ability to contribute to the Canadian economy. These variables are the result of a record linkage to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) administrative immigration records for immigrants admitted since 1980. The addition of these variables to the 2016 Census of Population will allow us to further our understanding of the socioeconomic outcomes of different categories of immigrants (e.g., refugees, economic immigrants) after they have landed in Canada.

Please consult the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X, for more detailed information on the definitions of the place of birth, generation status, citizenship and immigration variables.

To better understand the relationship between the concepts of immigration and place of birth, please refer to Figure 5.1 in the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X.

To better understand the relationship between the concepts of immigration and citizenship, please refer to Figure 5.2 in the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X.

Classifications

Data from the responses to the questions on place of birth, place of birth of parents, citizenship, immigrant status and year of immigration, as well as the variables on admission category, are used to produce summary and detailed variables that provide a picture of the population living in Canada.

The 2016 Census includes data for over 200 places of birth. The classification used to disseminate data for the variables on place of birth of person, place of birth of father and place of birth of mother is based on the Standard Classification of Countries and Areas of Interest (SCCAI) 2016. The complete list of places of birth disseminated for the 2016 Census can be found in Appendix 5.2 of the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X. For additional information on the changes to country names and codes since 1970, please refer to the Current and historical countries and areas of interest.

The classification of countries of citizenship disseminated for the 2016 Census can be found in Appendix 5.3 of the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X. It is based on the Classification of Country of Citizenship 2016.

The classification of the admission categories disseminated for the 2016 Census can be found in Appendix 5.5 of the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X. For more information regarding admission category, please refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Questions

The 2016 Census of Population data on immigration, citizenship, place of birth and generation status were obtained from various questions on the 2016 Census of Population 2A-L questionnaire or the 2016 Census of Population 2A-R questionnaire. The 2A-L questionnaire was used to enumerate a 25% sample of all private households in Canada, except for private households on Indian reserves, Indian settlements and other remote areas, which all received the 2A-R questionnaire.

From the responses to Questions 12, 13, 14, 15, 24 a) and 24 b) in both versions of the questionnaire, the following variables on place of birth, generation status, citizenship and immigration were created directly or derived:

The questions on the 2A-R questionnaire were the same as those on the 2A-L questionnaire; however, respondents living on Indian reserves were not asked to answer the questions on citizenship, immigrant status and year of immigration.

To assist people whose first language was neither English nor French, the Census of Population questions were translated into 22 other languages, including 11 Aboriginal languages.

More information on the wording and format of the place of birth, citizenship and immigration questions, and on the instructions provided to respondents, can be found in the 2016 Census of Population 2A-L questionnaire, the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X and the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X.

Data on admission category and applicant type are collected by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) administrative records. These variables were added to the 2016 Census through a record linkage. For more information regarding admission category and applicant type, please refer to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website.

Data quality

The 2016 long-form census questionnaire underwent a thorough data quality assessment, similar to what was done for the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and past censuses. A number of data quality indicators (briefly described below) were produced and used to evaluate the quality of the data.

The data quality assessment was done in addition to the regular quality checks completed at key stages of the survey, i.e., during data collection and processing. The consistency of the responses provided was checked and the non-response rates for each question were analysed. As well, the quality of imputed responses was examined as part of the data editing and imputation steps. Finally, long-form census questionnaire estimates were compared with other data sources, and certified for final release.

For information about data quality for the census subdivision of Wood Buffalo, the data collection methodology and the use of administrative data sources, please refer to Appendix 1.4 of the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

The main highlights of this assessment for the immigration, citizenship, place of birth and generation status data are presented below.

Variability due to sampling and total non-response

The objective of the long-form census questionnaire is to produce estimates on various topics for a wide variety of geographies, ranging from very large areas (such as provinces and census metropolitan areas) to very small areas (such as neighbourhoods and municipalities), and for various subpopulations (such as Aboriginal peoples and immigrants) that are generally referred to as "domains of interest." In order to reduce response burden, the long-form census questionnaire is administered to a random sample of households.

This sampling approach and the total non-response introduce variability in the estimates that needs to be accounted for. This variability also depends on the population size and the variability of the characteristics being measured. Furthermore, the precision of estimates may vary appreciably depending on the domain or geography of interest, in particular because of the variation in response rates. For more information on the variability due to sampling and total non-response in long-form census questionnaire estimates, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

Non-response bias

Non-response bias is a potential source of error for all surveys, including the long-form census questionnaire. Non-response bias arises when the characteristics of those who participate in a survey are different from those who do not.

In general, the risk of non-response bias increases as the response rate declines. For the 2016 long-form census questionnaire, Statistics Canada adapted its collection and estimation procedures in order to mitigate, to the extent possible, the effect of non-response bias. For more information on these mitigation strategies, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

Data quality indicators

A number of quality indicators were produced and analysed during the data quality assessment of the long-form census questionnaire. Three of these are presented to users: the global non-response rate (GNR), the standard error, and the imputation rate by question.

The GNR combines non-response at the household level (or total non-response) and non-response at the question level (partial non-response). It is calculated and presented for each geographic area. The GNR is the key criterion that determines whether or not the long-form census questionnaire results are released for a given geographic area: data are suppressed for geographic areas with a GNR equal to or greater than 50%. More information on the GNR is available in the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

The standard error is a measure of the precision of an estimate with respect to sampling and total non-response variability. A small standard error corresponds to a precise estimate. Standard errors are made available to users for certain long-form census questionnaire estimates, except in cases where confidentiality would be compromised. The standard error can be used to derive other indicators of precision such as the coefficient of variation. It can also be used for most types of population parameters of interest (e.g., a count, a proportion or an average) and, using an adequate methodology, to derive margins of errors or confidence intervals for a given confidence level or to perform statistical inference (hypothesis testing). For more information on the long-form census questionnaire standard error and its interpretability and use, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

The imputation rate by question, excluding global non-response, is a measurement of quality specific to each question in the long-form census questionnaire. It measures the proportion of respondents ('respondents' being defined as those for whom a fully- or partially-completed questionnaire was returned) who did not answer the question, or whose response was invalid and for which a valid value was assigned. Imputation eliminates gaps in the data and, when done appropriately, reduces bias introduced by non-response. This is done by identifying persons or households that have characteristics similar to the incomplete record and by copying their values to fill in the missing or erroneous responses. The imputation rates by question are presented in Table 1, and the imputation rates for the admission category and applicant type variables are presented in Table 2.

Certification of final estimates

Once data processing, editing and imputation were completed, the data were weighted in order for estimates to represent the total Canadian population living in private dwellings. Certification of the final weighted estimates was the last step in the validation process leading to recommendation for release of the data for each geography and domain of interest. Based on the analysis of data quality indicators and the comparison of the long-form census questionnaire estimates with other data sources, the recommendation is for unconditional release, conditional release or non-release for quality reasons. In the case of conditional release or non-release, appropriate notes and warnings are included in this guide. Several data sources were used to evaluate the long-form census questionnaire estimates. However, since the risk of error often increases for lower levels of geography and for smaller populations, and the data sources used to evaluate these results are less reliable (or not available) at these lower levels, it can be difficult to certify the estimates at these levels.

Long-form census questionnaire estimates are also subject to confidentiality rules that ensure non-disclosure of individual respondent identity and characteristics. For more information on confidentiality rules, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

For more information on data processing and the calculation of the estimates and their level of precision, please refer to the Sampling and Weighting Technical Report, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-306-X.

Comparability

Comparability of concepts over time

The 2016 Census of Population questions on citizenship, immigration and place of birth have undergone little change over time, but factors such as changes in target population, methodology, questionnaire format and applicable legislation should be taken into account when comparing the data.

Citizenship

Citizenship was first asked in the 1901 Census of Population. The data on citizenship reflects changes that have occurred over time in Canada's citizenship laws. A person in Canada may hold dual or multiple citizenships. Changes to citizenship statutes and regulations pertaining to citizenship may affect the tendency of the immigrant population to acquire Canadian citizenship. Historical comparisons must take these legislative changes into account.

In 2014, changes to the residency requirement to become a Canadian citizen by naturalization came into force under Bill C-24. As a result of these changes, the 2016 Census processing of the citizenship variable required that immigrants only be eligible for Canadian citizenship if they had landed in Canada four years prior to the census year (i.e., prior to 2012). For the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) and the 2006 Census, immigrants were required to have landed at least three years prior to the census year to be eligible for Canadian citizenship by naturalization.

There have been changes to the citizenship question over time. In the 1971 Census, respondents were asked to indicate specific countries of citizenship. For the 1981, 1986 and 1991 censuses, citizenship information for specific countries is available, but only for respondents who indicated the same country for their citizenship and their place of birth. Since 1996, the question on citizenship has remained relatively unchanged, with the exception of 2006, when a note was added to explain the meaning of "naturalization."

Immigrant status and year of immigration

Data on immigrant status and year of immigration have been collected since 1901. The 1971 Census and earlier censuses collected data only on periods of immigration, i.e., ranges of years. Data for individual years of immigration became available with the 1981 Census. Since 1991, a direct question on landed immigrant status has been used to identify the immigrant population. Previously, the immigrant population was defined as all persons who were not Canadian citizens by birth. Data are not available for the non-permanent resident population prior to 1991 because they were not part of the target population.

Comparisons of individual years of immigration and age at immigration over time can be affected by a number of factors, such as emigration and mortality among the immigrant population, survey methodology, and respondent reporting patterns.

Place of birth, place of birth of parents and generation status

Data on the respondent's place of birth have been collected since 1871, and the content of the question has undergone little change. The place of birth of parents was first collected in 1891, but was not collected in every subsequent census. For the 2001 and 2006 censuses, the question on the place of birth of parents was asked only of persons 15 years of age or older. For all other census years, including 2016, and the 2011 NHS, the question was asked of the total target population for each year the question was available. In 1971, information on the detailed places of birth of parents outside Canada was not collected.

Historical comparisons of place of birth and place of birth of parents should take into account the changes in boundaries and country names over time. For additional information on the changes to country names since 1970, please refer to the Current and historical countries and areas of interest.

For more information on census questions and derived variables related to immigration, citizenship, place of birth and generation status since Confederation, please refer to Appendix 2.0 of the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-301-X.

The processing of the immigration, citizenship and place of birth questions has evolved over time to reflect changes in immigration and citizenship policy, as well as increased use of administrative data. These changes have affected the treatment of inconsistencies, omissions and ambiguous responses (e.g., "Ireland").

In addition, the 2016 Census introduced prompts into the electronic questionnaire for the place of birth and citizenship questions. For example, if a respondent provided an ambiguous response "Ireland," the respondent was asked to specify the country according to present boundaries (Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland). These prompts resulted in an increase in the precision and quality of data related to several places of birth and countries of citizenship.

The 2016 Census long-form questionnaire contained the same questions on citizenship, immigration and place of birth as the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS). However, the 2011 NHS employed a different methodology than was used for the 2016 Census, the 2006 Census or prior censuses. These differences can affect comparability between 2016 Census estimates and 2011 NHS estimates for the citizenship, immigration and place of birth variables. For more information on the comparability between the 2016 Census and the 2011 NHS, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X. In particular, there is evidence that 2011 NHS estimates for people born in the Philippines were overestimated. For more information, please refer to the Place of Birth, Generation Status, Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011, Catalogue no. 99-010-X2011008.

Comparability with other data sources

Many statistical sources provide information on immigration to Canada, covering different reference periods and different subpopulations, thereby meeting different informational needs. These factors need to be taken into account when comparing the 2016 Census of Population data with other sources, such as the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB) and the administrative data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The 2016 Census of Population estimates the immigrant population living in private households in Canada on Census Day, May 10, 2016. The information is mainly collected through self-enumeration—that is, respondents are required to complete the questionnaire by themselves.

In comparison, the administrative data from IRCC provides information on the total number of immigrants admitted to Canada each year as permanent residents. The IRCC data cannot be used to estimate the population of immigrants living in Canada as they do not account for any outflows, such as deaths or emigration. Since they provide the total number of all those who have ever been permanent residents in Canada, the IRCC administrative data counts are higher when compared with the census estimates of immigrants living in Canada at a given point in time.

To some extent, the counts from the Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB) consider deaths and out-migration. The 2014 IMDB combines linked administrative data from IRCC with tax data files. The counts presented in Chart 1 are for those immigrants who filed tax returns in 2014. Since not all immigrants living in Canada would have filed tax returns, due to age or other factors, counts from the IMDB are expected to be lower than the estimates from the 2016 Census.

The comparison of the number of immigrants by year of immigration between the 2016 Census, the IRCC data and the IMDB data (Chart 1) shows similar trends in all three sources. In the earlier years of immigration, the census estimates are closer to the IMDB counts, as immigrants who landed between 1980 and 2000 would most likely be taxfilers still living in Canada at the time of the census. As the year of immigration moves towards 2016, the census estimates start to move closer to the counts from IRCC, as the number of non-taxfilers, such as children, increases, while the number of deaths and emigrants would be lower.

While the IRCC data (and consequently the IMDB) are based on the administrative year of immigration, data from the 2016 Census are based on the reported year of immigration. This can create some differences between the two sources. For example, some immigrants may have reported their year of arrival, as they may have resided in Canada as non-permanent residents prior to being admitted as permanent residents.

For the year 2016, IRCC data are available for the full calendar year, whereas the census collected data only for immigrants who landed on or prior to May 10, 2016; as a result, in Chart 1, the IRCC counts are significantly higher than the census estimates.

Chart 1 Year of immigration for the immigrant population who landed between 1980 and 2016, from different immigration data sources, Canada

Data table for Chart 1
Data table for Chart 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of data for Chart 1. The information is grouped by Year of immigration (appearing as row headers), 2016 Census of Population, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB) (appearing as column headers).
Year of immigration 2016 Census of Population Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Longitudinal Immigration Database (IMDB)
1980 104,290 143,138 80,060
1981 73,575 128,641 67,635
1982 70,525 121,175 66,005
1983 56,155 89,185 49,005
1984 59,475 88,272 50,515
1985 65,315 84,346 49,475
1986 77,945 99,351 60,450
1987 92,890 152,076 95,130
1988 111,800 161,585 100,135
1989 142,695 191,550 120,555
1990 165,195 216,451 135,010
1991 133,490 232,802 149,330
1992 147,520 254,787 165,045
1993 151,980 256,638 169,750
1994 147,495 224,382 145,805
1995 147,880 212,864 143,095
1996 149,790 226,071 152,180
1997 143,985 216,036 147,735
1998 132,690 174,195 124,625
1999 145,570 189,950 136,460
2000 186,260 227,455 165,310
2001 196,500 250,636 180,835
2002 170,630 229,049 163,095
2003 175,975 221,349 158,235
2004 180,345 235,822 168,265
2005 205,485 262,242 186,515
2006 199,780 251,649 179,495
2007 193,325 236,762 168,695
2008 207,465 247,261 175,155
2009 208,240 252,218 181,410
2010 247,290 280,730 198,505
2011 224,275 248,732 174,740
2012 219,550 257,809 180,825
2013 216,340 259,039 179,290
2014 215,555 260,282 171,690
2015 225,640 271,815 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period
2016 110,710 296,345 Note ..: not available for a specific reference period

In addition to the Census of Population and the IMDB, Statistics Canada produces other key data sources on the immigrant population, such as the Labour Force Survey, the General Social Survey and the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada.

When place of birth, generation status, citizenship and immigration data are compared across data sources, additional factors should be considered. These include differences in survey target populations; reference periods; sampling and collection methods, e.g., question wording, questionnaire format, examples and instructions; approaches to data processing; and differences in the social and political climate at the time of data collection. For additional information, please see the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

Data quality notes

Citizenship, immigration and place of birth

The imputation rates for the 2016 Census citizenship and immigration variables at the national level are lower than those of the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) (see Table 1). The imputation rates for the 2016 Census of Population are as follows: citizenship (1.3%); place of birth (1.0%); place of birth of mother (1.6%); place of birth of father (1.8%); landed immigrant status (0.7%); and year of immigration (9.4%). For the 2011 NHS, the imputation rates at the national level were as follows: citizenship (2.3%); place of birth (2.0%); place of birth of mother (5.7%); place of birth of father (6.0%); immigrant status (1.3%); and year of immigration (12.5%).

Table 1
Imputation rates for the citizenship, place of birth, place of birth of mother, place of birth of father, landed immigrant status and year of immigration variables, Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census
Table summary
This table displays the results of Imputation rates for the citizenship, place of birth, place of birth of mother, place of birth of father, landed immigrant status and year of immigration variables, Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census. The information is grouped by Region (appearing as row headers), Citizenship (Q13), Place of birth (Q12), Place of birth of mother (Q24 b), Place of birth of father (Q24 a), Landed immigrant status (Q14) and Year of immigration (Q15), calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Region Citizenship
(Q13)
Place of birth
(Q12)
Place of birth of mother
(Q24 b)
Place of birth of father
(Q24 a)
Landed immigrant status
(Q14)
Year of immigration
(Q15)
percent
Canada 1.3 1.0 1.6 1.8 0.7 9.4
Newfoundland and Labrador 1.1 1.1 2.4 2.1 0.9 9.2
Prince Edward Island 1.3 1.1 2.0 2.0 0.8 9.2
Nova Scotia 1.1 0.9 1.6 1.6 0.7 10.6
New Brunswick 1.1 0.9 1.5 1.5 0.6 13.3
Quebec 1.0 0.9 1.5 1.5 0.6 9.3
Ontario 1.3 1.0 1.5 1.7 0.6 9.3
Manitoba 1.4 1.1 1.5 1.8 0.7 9.0
Saskatchewan 1.3 1.1 1.7 1.9 0.8 6.7
Alberta 1.7 1.3 1.9 2.1 0.9 9.2
British Columbia 1.5 1.3 1.9 2.1 0.9 9.7
Yukon 1.3 1.1 1.9 2.4 0.8 8.2
Northwest Territories 2.1 1.9 1.8 2.1 1.6 9.9
Nunavut 1.3 1.6 0.9 1.1 1.1 11.9

As shown in Table 1 the imputation rate for the year of immigration question (9.4%) is higher than the rates observed for the other questions on immigration and citizenship, which range from 0.7% for immigrant status to 1.8% for place of birth of father.

Some immigrants who have settled in Canada for a number of years and acquired Canadian citizenship by naturalization report "no" to the immigrant status question. "Canadian citizenship by naturalization" refers to the process by which an immigrant is granted Canadian citizenship under the Citizenship Act. Their response to the immigrant status question is corrected during processing. Since the year of immigration is asked only of respondents who responded "yes" to the immigrant status question, it required further imputation for those corrected records.

This trend is illustrated in Chart 2, where we can see an increasing imputation rate as we move towards earlier cohorts of immigrants. For example, immigrants who landed before 1981 had an imputation rate of 13.5%, a rate five times higher than the 2.7% observed for recent immigrants (immigrants who landed between 2011 and May 10, 2016).

Chart 2 Imputation rates by period of immigration, Canada, 2016 Census

Data table for Chart 2
Data table for Chart 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of data for Chart 2. The information is grouped by Period of immigration (appearing as row headers), Imputation rate (percent) (appearing as column headers).
Period of immigration Imputation rate (%)
Before 1981 13.5
1981 to 1990 12.0
1991 to 2000 10.4
2001 to 2005 8.0
2006 to 2010 7.2
2011 to 2016 2.7

Note that an overestimation of people who immigrated in 1974 was observed. This overestimation may have been caused by using 1974 as the example year for how to answer the Year of immigration question (Question 15) on the census questionnaire.

Admission category and applicant type

The admission category and applicant type variables are the result of a record linkage to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) administrative immigration records. The administrative data for these variables are available only for immigrants who landed since 1980. As a result, only persons who reported having immigrated since 1980 in response to the year of immigration question (Question 15) on the census questionnaire were considered "in scope" to be linked to the administrative file.

The imputation rates for the admission category variables measure the proportion of immigrants for whom an administrative value was not available because of record linkage error or inconsistencies between the census responses and the linked administrative values. For example, an immigrant may have reported a year of immigration for which the admission category linked to them was invalid or not yet implemented.

At the national level, the admission category variable had an imputation rate of 10.7%, and the applicant type variable had an imputation rate of 10.6% (see Table 2). Nunavut had the highest imputation rate (29.5%) and Saskatchewan had the lowest rate (8.6%). This follows the same trend as the year of immigration imputation rates (Table 1), where Nunavut was the highest (11.9%) and Saskatchewan was the lowest (6.7%).

Table 2
Imputation rates for the admission category and applicant type variables, Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census
Table summary
This table displays the results of Imputation rates for the admission category and applicant type variables, Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census. The information is grouped by Region (appearing as row headers), Admission category and Applicant type, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Region Admission category Applicant type
percent
Canada 10.7 10.6
Newfoundland and Labrador 15.5 15.4
Prince Edward Island 10.1 10.1
Nova Scotia 13.3 13.3
New Brunswick 15.3 15.2
Quebec 9.5 9.4
Ontario 10.2 10.2
Manitoba 9.8 9.7
Saskatchewan 8.6 8.6
Alberta 12.6 12.6
British Columbia 11.6 11.6
Yukon 10.6 10.5
Northwest Territories 17.3 17.2
Nunavut 29.5 29.5

Citizenship and immigration data on Indian reserves and Indian settlements

Persons living on Indian reserves and Indian settlements who were enumerated with the 2016 Census of Population 2A-R questionnaire were not asked the questions on citizenship (Question 13), landed immigrant status (Question 14) or year of immigration (Question 15). Consequently, citizenship, landed immigrant status, year of immigration, admission category and applicant type data are not available for Indian reserves and Indian settlements at the census subdivision level and lower levels of geography. In these areas, the majority of the population was enumerated with the 2A-R questionnaire, rather than with the 2A-L questionnaire, which was administered to the off-reserve population. Citizenship and immigration data are, however, included in the totals for larger geographic areas, such as census divisions and provinces.

For more information on citizenship and immigration data on Indian reserves and Indian settlements, see the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

For more information on income data relating to immigrants and non-permanent residents please refer to the Income Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-500-X2016004.

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