2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Selected Language Characteristics (165), Aboriginal Ancestry (10), Age Groups (7) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :97-558-XCB2006020
Release date :April 2, 2008
Topic :Aboriginal peoples
Data dimensions :

Note

Note: Data quality - Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux)

When comparing the census results to those of the 2001 Census, it appears that there is some overestimation of persons reporting Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in British Columbia and, as a result, also at the Canada level. Although it affects a relatively small population, it is best to apply caution when analysing the census data for Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in these geographies.

For more information on factors that may explain such variances in census data, such as response errors and processing errors, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Appendix B Data quality, sampling and weighting, confidentiality and random rounding.

Note: Data on knowledge of official languages

According to studies on data certification, the 2006 Census statistics on knowledge of official languages could underestimate the category 'English and French' and overestimate the category 'French only,' particularly for the francophone population, but also for the whole population in general. More information on the subject will be available in the Languages Reference Guide, to be published in 2008.

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 selected language characteristics , aboriginal ancestry , age groups and sex for the population in CanadaFootnote 1
Selected language characteristics (165) Aboriginal ancestry (10)
Total - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry population Total Aboriginal ancestry populationFootnote 2 North American Indian single ancestry North American Indian and non-Aboriginal ancestries Métis single ancestry Métis and non-Aboriginal ancestries Inuit single ancestry Inuit and non-Aboriginal ancestries Other Aboriginal multiple ancestriesFootnote 3 Non-Aboriginal ancestry population
Total population by detailed mother tongueFootnote 4 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,360 77,295 285,750 40,975 18,610 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 5 30,848,270 1,656,185 502,985 685,140 76,575 283,340 40,540 18,370 49,230 29,192,085
English 17,882,775 1,174,140 302,140 515,210 59,515 233,800 10,800 14,060 38,610 16,708,635
French 6,817,650 267,950 42,900 155,270 13,990 47,575 540 1,390 6,285 6,549,705
Non-official languages 6,147,840 214,095 157,940 14,655 3,075 1,970 29,190 2,930 4,335 5,933,745
Aboriginal languages 210,075 206,230 156,340 10,780 2,520 500 29,140 2,825 4,125 3,845
Algonquian languages 144,660 142,150 126,615 8,915 2,295 455 295 15 3,545 2,510
Algonquin 1,920 1,900 1,775 105 0 0 15 0 0 15
Atikamekw 5,250 5,165 4,865 245 0 0 60 0 0 80
Blackfoot 3,085 3,055 2,960 90 0 0 0 0 0 30
Cree 78,855 77,475 66,775 5,690 1,675 220 60 15 3,035 1,375
Malecite 530 525 470 50 0 0 0 0 0 10
Mi'kmaq 7,365 7,310 6,780 505 10 0 10 0 0 55
Montagnais-Naskapi 10,970 10,705 9,935 570 10 0 115 0 75 265
Ojibway 24,190 23,655 21,525 1,445 310 125 0 0 235 540
Oji-Cree 11,690 11,605 11,390 125 25 10 30 0 25 80
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 795 740 135 90 260 85 0 0 170 55
Athapaskan languages 19,015 18,585 17,190 885 180 40 75 0 215 425
Carrier 1,560 1,455 1,340 95 10 0 0 0 0 100
Chilcotin 1,070 1,025 955 70 0 0 0 0 0 45
Chipewyan 525 505 425 50 10 10 0 0 10 25
Dene 9,745 9,660 9,035 390 115 15 0 0 100 95
Dogrib 2,020 1,970 1,845 50 10 10 15 0 45 45
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 355 355 310 25 0 0 0 0 15 0
North Slave (Hare) 1,065 1,055 965 30 10 0 40 0 10 10
South Slave 1,605 1,580 1,415 100 25 10 10 0 20 20
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 1,065 980 895 70 0 0 10 0 10 85
Haida 110 110 90 10 10 0 0 0 0 10
Iroquoian languages 410 365 275 90 0 0 0 0 0 40
Mohawk 290 250 165 80 0 0 0 0 0 40
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 120 120 110 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutenai 155 150 140 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 3,250 3,100 2,835 260 0 0 0 0 0 150
Shuswap 935 910 820 90 0 0 0 0 10 25
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 500 490 465 25 0 0 0 0 0 10
Salish languages, n.i.e. 1,810 1,700 1,550 145 0 0 0 0 0 115
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 5,590 5,515 5,335 150 0 0 0 0 25 70
Tlingit 85 85 75 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 2,170 2,055 1,910 125 15 0 10 0 0 115
Gitksan 1,175 1,105 1,050 60 0 0 0 0 0 70
Nisga'a 675 645 590 50 0 0 0 0 0 30
Tsimshian 315 300 270 20 15 0 0 0 0 15
Wakashan languages 1,090 1,045 970 70 0 0 0 0 0 45
Nootka 375 365 330 30 0 0 0 0 0 10
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 715 680 640 45 0 0 0 0 0 30
Inuktitut 32,380 32,010 105 30 0 0 28,745 2,805 315 370
Inuinnaqtun 370 365 10 0 0 0 340 20 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 32,015 31,645 95 30 0 0 28,405 2,790 315 365
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 1,165 1,055 795 205 20 10 15 0 10 110
Other single responses 5,937,765 7,860 1,600 3,880 550 1,465 50 100 210 5,929,900
Total multiple responsesFootnote 6 392,760 22,050 9,165 8,215 720 2,405 440 240 860 370,710
English and Aboriginal languageFootnote 7 11,035 10,655 7,825 1,645 205 95 370 115 395 380
French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 8 855 810 480 145 50 20 35 20 55 40
English, French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 9 240 235 80 90 20 10 0 10 25 10
Other multiple responses 380,625 10,340 775 6,330 445 2,285 30 85 385 370,285
Total population by detailed language spoken most often at homeFootnote 10 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,360 77,295 285,750 40,975 18,610 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 11 30,665,025 1,660,470 502,935 688,140 76,750 284,185 40,470 18,450 49,540 29,004,560
English 20,584,775 1,296,045 361,670 543,540 64,005 252,245 16,580 15,185 42,810 19,288,730
French 6,608,125 232,525 43,785 139,345 11,380 31,210 685 1,280 4,825 6,375,600
Non-official languages 3,472,130 131,895 97,475 5,250 1,355 725 23,200 1,985 1,900 3,340,235
Aboriginal languages 129,340 128,050 96,560 3,515 980 85 23,150 1,945 1,820 1,290
Algonquian languages 87,515 86,820 81,045 3,095 860 70 205 15 1,520 695
Algonquin 385 385 360 15 0 0 0 0 0 10
Atikamekw 4,750 4,740 4,505 215 0 0 25 0 0 10
Blackfoot 1,575 1,570 1,555 15 10 0 0 0 0 0
Cree 47,190 46,765 42,845 1,880 650 35 45 10 1,285 425
Malecite 135 135 130 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mi'kmaq 3,985 3,955 3,770 190 0 0 0 0 0 30
Montagnais-Naskapi 9,720 9,645 8,975 495 0 0 95 0 75 75
Ojibway 11,115 10,985 10,535 225 120 25 0 0 85 130
Oji-Cree 8,480 8,470 8,340 55 20 0 35 0 20 10
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 175 160 30 0 65 10 0 0 50 20
Athapaskan languages 11,220 11,040 10,490 265 110 10 60 0 95 180
Carrier 605 545 525 15 0 0 0 0 0 60
Chilcotin 430 415 415 10 0 0 0 0 0 15
Chipewyan 120 120 115 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dene 7,490 7,465 7,125 180 80 15 0 0 60 25
Dogrib 1,110 1,110 1,040 20 10 10 10 0 25 0
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 25 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
North Slave (Hare) 650 655 595 15 0 0 40 0 0 0
South Slave 600 595 550 20 15 0 0 0 10 10
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 180 120 100 10 0 0 10 0 0 65
Haida 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages 30 20 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Mohawk 20 20 10 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
Kutenai 15 20 15 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 510 510 480 25 0 0 0 0 10 0
Shuswap 250 250 240 10 0 0 0 0 10 0
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 55 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages, n.i.e. 210 205 195 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 3,785 3,755 3,700 45 0 0 0 0 10 25
Tlingit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 565 545 525 10 0 0 0 0 0 20
Gitksan 320 315 305 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nisga'a 180 165 160 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Tsimshian 65 60 60 0 0 0 10 0 0 10
Wakashan languages 110 110 100 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Nootka 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 100 100 90 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut 25,360 25,070 70 0 0 0 22,875 1,925 190 285
Inuinnaqtun 70 70 10 0 0 0 65 0 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 25,290 25,005 65 0 10 0 22,810 1,930 190 285
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 210 150 110 45 0 0 0 0 0 65
Other single responses 3,342,790 3,845 920 1,740 375 640 50 40 80 3,338,945
Total multiple responsesFootnote 12 576,005 17,765 9,215 5,220 545 1,565 505 165 555 558,235
English and Aboriginal languageFootnote 13 9,680 9,455 7,640 815 140 20 455 80 300 230
French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 14 695 675 570 50 10 0 35 0 0 25
English, French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 15 75 70 50 10 10 0 10 10 0 0
Other multiple responses 565,550 7,570 950 4,355 385 1,540 10 75 245 557,980
Total population by knowledge of Aboriginal languagesFootnote 16 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,355 77,295 285,750 40,980 18,610 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 17 20,015,415 1,189,670 307,385 534,260 61,855 221,275 13,455 13,250 38,175 18,825,745
English 15,697,475 1,056,885 274,380 460,630 55,560 209,375 8,760 12,430 35,735 14,640,590
French 3,851,775 119,570 25,365 73,050 6,195 11,810 260 595 2,300 3,732,205
Non-official languages 466,165 13,215 7,640 580 95 95 4,430 225 140 452,950
Aboriginal languages 12,730 12,540 7,450 310 25 0 4,410 220 115 185
Algonquian languages 7,180 7,065 6,655 285 25 0 10 0 80 120
Algonquin 60 60 55 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Atikamekw 860 860 835 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Blackfoot 25 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cree 3,495 3,415 3,145 170 25 0 0 0 70 80
Malecite 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mi'kmaq 80 80 75 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Montagnais-Naskapi 1,070 1,045 960 65 0 0 10 0 10 30
Ojibway 705 700 695 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Oji-Cree 880 875 855 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages 745 740 710 25 0 0 0 0 10 0
Carrier 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcotin 25 25 15 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chipewyan 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dene 465 465 450 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dogrib 105 105 105 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
North Slave (Hare) 50 50 50 0 0 0 10 0 0 0
South Slave 70 75 75 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mohawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutenai 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 10 15 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shuswap 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages, n.i.e. 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 60 60 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tlingit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gitksan 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nisga'a 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nootka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut 4,715 4,655 10 0 0 0 4,395 225 35 60
Inuinnaqtun 15 15 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 4,695 4,640 0 0 0 0 4,375 220 30 55
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
Other single responses 453,435 675 190 275 75 95 20 0 30 452,760
Total multiple responsesFootnote 18 11,225,615 488,565 204,765 159,095 15,435 64,475 27,520 5,360 11,915 10,737,050
English and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 19 217,295 211,910 159,965 15,320 3,470 740 24,690 2,900 4,825 5,385
French and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 20 14,515 14,235 12,475 780 30 0 860 45 45 275
English, French and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 21 11,825 10,670 6,335 1,715 275 165 1,415 395 375 1,155
Other multiple responses 10,981,980 251,745 25,990 141,280 11,665 63,565 555 2,020 6,670 10,730,230

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

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Footnote 2

Refers to those persons who reported at least one Aboriginal ancestry (North American Indian, Métis or Inuit) to the ethnic origin question. 'Ethnic origin' refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a person's ancestors. Additional Information on ethnic origin can be obtained from the 2006 Census Dictionary.
'Aboriginal ancestry' was referred to as 'Aboriginal origin' prior the 2006 Census. The content of the variable remains unchanged in 2006 compared with the previous censuses.

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Footnote 3

Includes those who reported multiple Aboriginal ancestries or multiple Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestries to the ethnic origin question.

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Footnote 4

Mother tongue refers to the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual at the time of the census.

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Footnote 5

Indicates the number of persons who reported only one language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 6

Indicates the number of persons who reported more than one language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 7

Indicates the number of persons who reported English and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 8

Indicates the number of persons who reported French and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 9

Indicates the number of persons who reported English, French and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 10

Refers to the language spoken most often at home by the individual at the time of the census. The data on home language shown in this table are not comparable to data found in similar tables produced for the 2001 Census when home language referred to the language spoken most often at home and the language spoken on a regular basis at home.

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Footnote 11

Indicates the number of persons who reported only one language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 12

Indicates the number of persons who reported more than one language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 13

Indicates the number of persons who reported English and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 14

Indicates the number of persons who reported French and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 15

Indicates the number of persons who reported English, French and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 16

Refers to the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 17

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of only one language, either as an official or a non-official language. For example, the category 'English' includes persons who reported knowledge of English only without reporting knowledge of any non-official language(s).

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Footnote 18

Indicates the number of persons who reported multiple official and/or non-official languages.

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Footnote 19

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of English and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 20

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of French and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 21

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of English, French and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-558-XCB2006020.

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Footnotes

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Footnote d

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