ETHNO-CUL
TURAL
CULTURAL
CHARA
CTERISTICS
HARACTERISTICS
Recent T
Trrends
Statistics Canada – Cat. No. 96-304E
r
In 1991, nearly one-third of Canadians reported an ethnic background other than British or
French, up from one-fourth in 1986. (1991 Census)
r
The top ten single response groups in 1991 were French, English, German, Scottish,
Canadian, Italian, Irish, Chinese, Aboriginal and Ukrainian. (1991 Census)
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In 1991, the groups designated as visible minorities represented 9.4% of Canada’s
population, an increase from 6.3% in 1986. Chinese, South Asian and Black comprised
the three largest visible minority groups. (1991 Census)
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Visible minorities are concentrated in the three largest metropolitan areas. About 40% of
all visible minorities in Canada make their home in Toronto, 15% live in Vancouver
and 14% in Montréal. In comparison, 14% of Canada’s total population live in Toronto,
while 6% reside in Vancouver and 11% in Montréal. (1991 Census)
2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics
61
Historical A
vaila
bility of Census Da
ta
Av
ailability
Data
(1)
Definitions and data were based on the interdepartmental working group on Employment Equity.
* Variables indicated with an asterisk are direct variables. All others are derived.
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2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics
1996 Census Questions
2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics
63
Major Social Policy Issues for the 21st Century
Why This
Information
Is Collected
Q
uestion 17 tells us
about the ethnic
and cultural diversity of
Canada’s population. It
provides data in support
of the Multiculturalism
Act and the Canadian
Charter of Rights and
Freedoms. Question 19
tells us about the visible
minority population in
Canada. These data are
required for programs
legislated under the
Employment Equity Act.
This information is
used
extensively
by
government
agencies, ethno-cultural
associations,
and
researchers for a wide
range of activities such as
health
promotion,
communications and
marketing, as well as
providing measures for
assessing the equality of
opportunity in Canada’s
workforce.
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G
rowing diversity. Canada is becoming increasingly
culturally diverse as a result of the changing patterns
of immigration since the 1960s. A shift from European to
non-European countries as the sources of immigrants to
Canada is leading to a more ethnically varied population
and to a higher proportion of visible minorities.
C
oncentration of ethnic groups in urban centres.
Not all areas of Canada are experiencing growing
ethnic diversity. Since immigrants tend to settle in major
urban centres, the ethnic composition of the country’s
various regions and urban centres exhibit major
differences.
M
ulticulturalism and employment equity policies.
Canada’s policy of multiculturalism was initiated in
1970 and the federal legislation pertaining to employment
equity was put in place in 1986. Recently, there has been
considerable debate regarding these policies and related
programs.
Major Data Users
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
Ø
federal agencies and departments
provincial and territorial governments
municipalities
ethno-cultural groups
academics
private sector
2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics
Points ffor
or Discussion
Question 17
Relevance of ethnic origin question. Should the census continue to ask a question on
ethnic origin? Many respondents have stated that this type of information is no longer
relevant, while others have argued that the question is divisive to Canadian society
because it emphasizes differences rather than similarities.
Usefulness of ethnic origin data. In the 1991 Census, there was a substantial increase
in the number of persons who reported “Canadian” as their ethnic origin, even though it
was not listed as an answer circle or shown in the list of ethnic groups. With the presence
of “Canadian” as an example in the 1996 Census, it is expected that the number of
persons reporting a Canadian ethnic origin will increase further. To what extent are ethnic
origin results still useful?
Format of the question. If a question on ethnic origin is included in 2001, should it
provide answer circles or write-in spaces? Answer circles may be less confusing for
respondents; however, some persons have argued that write-in spaces provide more
accurate information.
Choosing examples. If a question on ethnic origin is asked in the 2001 Census, how
should the ethnic groups that are used as examples or as mark-in categories be selected?
In the past, incidence reporting in the last census was used to select the groups shown on
the questionnaire. This approach resulted in the large groups being listed, thus excluding
examples of groups that have smaller populations and may have a shorter history of
settlement in Canada. This approach also failed to consider that there may be significant
regional differences within ethnic groups in Canada; for example, Acadians living in New
Brunswick, French in Quebec or Aboriginal persons living in the Northwest Territories or
Nunavut. What method should Statistics Canada use to select the groups shown on the
questionnaire?
Confusion regarding concepts. The ethnic origin question may be confusing to
respondents because the concept of ethnicity is a very fluid one. For some respondents,
ethnic origin is closely associated with language, nationality, citizenship or religion. For
others, cultural identity is the salient feature; yet another group may feel that their
background comprises many ethnic strands. These issues have plagued the question and
its usefulness for a number of censuses. Should the census continue to emphasize ethnic
origin – however defined by the respondent? How should responses be coded? Should
greater emphasis be given to the identification of small groups, including religious or
linguistic ones?
2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics
65
Question 19
Sensitivity. The 1996 Census was the first to ask a direct question on the employment
equity visible minority groups. During the census collection phase, some respondents
expressed the view that such a question was discriminatory and divisive. Others felt
uneasy about reporting such information on the census. While some visible minorities
welcomed the question because they considered the question to both recognize and
validate their presence in Canada, some respondents expressed concern about the
presence of the question and possible misuse of the information. Should this question be
repeated for 2001? If this question or a similar question is not asked, how will information
for employment equity programs be provided?
Need to list employment equity designated groups. In 1996, the question listed the
designated employment equity visible minority groups. In the event that a similar question
is asked in 2001, should the question collect specific information on the designated
groups? Would it be sufficient to collect only the information for a group labelled as a
visible minority?
Appropriateness of the employment equity groups and examples used to define the
group. In 1996, the visible minority groups shown on the census questionnaire were the
designated employment equity groups. To assist respondents, several examples of each
group were shown. However, not all respondents agreed with the designation of visible
minorities nor did they all agree with the examples shown on the questionnaire. What
criteria should be used to establish the categories or groups for which the data are
collected? Should Armenians and Iranians be listed in the Arab/West Asian group?
Which examples should be included for the Black answer circle? What about groups such
as Guyanese or Trinidadian, that could be included in more than one of the answer
circles? Should the same groups and examples be repeated in 2001? What factors need
to be considered in defining and listing visible minority groups?
Multicultural/mixed heritage. Persons from geographic areas with culturally diverse
populations, such as the Caribbean or East Africa, have expressed difficulty in responding
to the question on visible minorities. Persons with mixed heritage have expressed similar
problems. What could be done to ensure that persons with a multicultural or mixed
background are able to respond accurately to the visible minority question?
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2001 Census Consultation Guide – Ethno-cultural Characteristics