Population group

Part A - Short definition:

Not applicable

Part B - Detailed definition:

Population group refers to the population group or groups to which the person belongs, for example, White, South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean or Japanese. These population groups are the groups used on the 2011 National Household Survey questionnaire to collect data on the visible minority population for employment equity purposes. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as 'persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.'

Reported in:

2011

Reported for:

Population in private households

Question number(s):

Derived variable: Question 19 and question 18

Responses:

The Population group variable is derived from information collected in Question 19: Population group and Question 18: Aboriginal group. Persons who reported 'Yes, First Nations (North American Indian),' 'Yes, Métis' or 'Yes, Inuk (Inuit)' 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 variable, along with persons reporting other selected groups such as 'White.' All other respondents are classified according to their population group as reported in Question 19.

In Question 19: Population group, respondents were asked to use one or more of the mark-in circles provided to indicate their population group(s). The following mark-in circles were provided on the questionnaire: White, South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese. A write-in space was also provided for respondents who wanted to specify a population group not included in the list of mark-in circles.

For additional information on the NHS classification of Population group, refer to the Visible Minority and Population Group Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.

Remarks:

Population group refers to the population group or groups to which the person belongs. The population group question is used to derive estimates for the visible minority population, as defined by the Employment Equity Act. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as 'persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.'

For information on the Visible minority variable that is derived from the population group question, refer to the definition 'Visible minority.'

For additional information on the collection and dissemination of population group data, refer to the Visible Minority and Population Group Reference Guide, National Household Survey, 2011.