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This bulletin updates and summarizes information on the structure and trends for the rural population of Canada, using three major definitions of rural Canada: the "census rural" definition, the "rural and small town" definition and the OECD "predominantly rural region" definition. Each definition illustrates a specific aspect of rural Canada. This analysis is entirely based on data from the Census of Population from 1981 to 2006 (Statistics Canada, 2007).

This paper describes the changes made to the structure of geography information on SLID from reference year 1999 onwards. It goes into reasons for changing to the 2001 Census-based geography, shows how the overlap between the 1991 and 2001 Census-based concepts are handled, provides detail on how the geographic concepts are implemented, discusses a new imputation procedure and finishes with an illustration of the impact of these changes on selected tables.

These tables provide population and dwelling counts established by the 2001 Census of Canada. The following levels of geography are covered: Canada, provinces, territories, and other geographic areas including census subdivisions (municipalities), census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.

For selected geographies, the tables provide percentage change in the population counts between 1996 and 2001. Data are also provided for land area and population density. Various tables allow the data in a column to be sorted in descending or ascending order. Geographic boundaries are those in effect on January 1, 2001.

An interactive reference-mapping tool, called GeoSearch, is available on the Statistics Canada website for identifying places and geographic units presented in these tables.

Traditionally, Statistics Canada uses standard geographic areas as "containers" for the dissemination of statistical data. However, geographic structures are often used as variables in general applications, for example, to document the rural and urban population in a specific area such as an incorporated municipality (census subdivision). They are not often cross-tabulated with each other to illustrate and analyse specific social and economic processes, for example, the settlement patterns of the population inside and outside of larger urban centres broken down by urban and rural areas.The introduction of the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) concept presents additional opportunities to use geographic structures as variables to analyse census data.The objectives of this working paper are to illustrate the advantages of using geographic structures as variables to better analyse social and economic processes and to initiate a discussion in the user community about using these variables and the potential of this largely untapped capability of the Census databases. In order to achieve these objectives, four examples of geography as a variable are presented. The examples include Aboriginal persons living on-reserve and off-reserve in urban and rural areas in Canada, the unemployment rate of persons living in urban and rural areas in Canada, the gross rent of renter households in urban and rural areas in Canada, and the migration flows of persons 15 to 24 years of age between major urban centres and rural and small town areas (MIZ).Our intent is to encourage the use of geographic structures as census variables in order to provide users with the tools that will enable them to more accurately analyse the social and economic processes that take place in the geographic areas of Canada.

With this working paper, Statistics Canada is releasing 1991 Census data tabulated by a new geographic classification called "census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zones", or MIZ. This classification applies to census subdivisions (municipalities) that lie outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations. This part of Canada covers 96% of the country's total land mass and contains 22% of its population, yet up to now we have been limited in our means of differentiating this vast area. The MIZ classification shows the influence of census metropolitan areas (CMA) and census agglomerations (CA) on surrounding census subdivisions as measured by commuting flows based on 1991 Census place of work data. This version of the MIZ classification also incorporates a preliminary version of a north concept that flags census subdivisions according to their location in the north or south of Canada.

The series of tables presented here show detailed demographic, social and economic characteristics for Canada as a whole, for the six major regions of Canada, and for individual provinces and territories. Within each table, the data are subdivided into five categories: census metropolitan area or census agglomeration, strong MIZ, moderate MIZ, weak MIZ and no MIZ. Within each of these categories, the data are further subdivided into north and south.

Readers are invited to review and use the data tables to assess whether this combined MIZ and north/south classification of non-CMA/CA areas provides sufficient detail to support data analysis and research. The intent of this MIZ classification is to reveal previously hidden data detail and thereby help users address issues related to this vast geographic area.

This is the first of three related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE). The second working paper (no. 2000-2, 92F0138MPE00002) provides background information about the methodology used to delineate the MIZ classification. The third working paper (no. 2000-3, 92F0138MPE00003) describes the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada that separates the north from the south to further differentiate the MIZ classification.

This working paper provides an overview of census metropolitan and census agglomeration influenced zones, or MIZ, their background and the methodology used to define them. The MIZ classification is an approach to better differentiate areas of Canada outside of census metropolitan areas (CMA) and census agglomerations (CA). Census subdivisions that lie outside these areas are classified into one of four zones of influence ranging from "strong" to "no" influence according to the degree of influence that CMA/CAs have on them. The MIZ classification fills a gap in Statistics Canada's geographic framework and promotes data integration since we expect it will be possible to obtain survey data as well as census data based on the same geographic structure. Studies done with a preliminary version of MIZ showed the potential of MIZ to reveal the diversity of non-metropolitan Canada. Based on feedback received on that initial research, this working paper reports on more recent work that has been done to refine the number and data breakpoints for MIZ categories and to examine the additional variables of distances between census subdivisions (CSDs), physical adjacency and a north-south allocation.

This is the second in a series of three related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE) that describe a new statistical area classification that includes census metropolitan areas/census agglomerations, MIZ and the North concept. The first working paper (no. 2000-1, 92F0138MPE00001) briefly describes MIZ and provides tables of selected socio-economic characteristics from the 1991 Census tabulated by the MIZ categories. The third working paper (no. 2000-3, 92F0138MPE00003) describes the North concept and the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada that separates the north from the south to further differentiate the MIZ classification.

Statistics Canada's interest in a common delineation of the north for statistical analysis purposes evolved from research to devise a classification to further differentiate the largely rural and remote areas that make up 96% of Canada's land area. That research led to the establishment of the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) concept. When applied to census subdivisions, the MIZ categories did not work as well in northern areas as in the south. Therefore, the Geography Division set out to determine a north-south divide that would differentiate the north from the south independent of any standard geographic area boundaries.

This working paper describes the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada to separate the north from the south, as well as lines marking transition zones on both sides of the north-south line. It also describes the indicators selected to derive the north-south line and makes comparisons to alternative definitions of the north. The resulting classification of the north complements the MIZ classification. Together, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, MIZ and the North form a new Statistical Area Classification (SAC) for Canada.

Two related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE) provide further details about the MIZ classification. Working paper no. 2000-1 (92F0138MPE00001) briefly describes MIZ and includes tables of selected socio-economic characteristics from the 1991 Census tabulated by the MIZ categories, and working paper no. 2000-2 (92F0138MPE00002) describes the methodology used to define the MIZ classification.

This paper looks at non-metropolitan areas in Canada in depth by breaking them down into three smaller areas using the Metropolitan Influence Zones (MIZ) conceptual framework. It then looks at the differences between these areas.

These tables provide population and dwelling counts established by the 2001 Census of Canada. The following levels of geography are covered: Canada, provinces, territories, and other geographic areas including census subdivisions (municipalities), census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations.

For selected geographies, the tables provide percentage change in the population counts between 1996 and 2001. Data are also provided for land area and population density. Various tables allow the data in a column to be sorted in descending or ascending order. Geographic boundaries are those in effect on January 1, 2001.

An interactive reference-mapping tool, called GeoSearch, is available on the Statistics Canada website for identifying places and geographic units presented in these tables.

With this working paper, Statistics Canada is releasing 1991 Census data tabulated by a new geographic classification called "census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zones", or MIZ. This classification applies to census subdivisions (municipalities) that lie outside census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations. This part of Canada covers 96% of the country's total land mass and contains 22% of its population, yet up to now we have been limited in our means of differentiating this vast area. The MIZ classification shows the influence of census metropolitan areas (CMA) and census agglomerations (CA) on surrounding census subdivisions as measured by commuting flows based on 1991 Census place of work data. This version of the MIZ classification also incorporates a preliminary version of a north concept that flags census subdivisions according to their location in the north or south of Canada.

The series of tables presented here show detailed demographic, social and economic characteristics for Canada as a whole, for the six major regions of Canada, and for individual provinces and territories. Within each table, the data are subdivided into five categories: census metropolitan area or census agglomeration, strong MIZ, moderate MIZ, weak MIZ and no MIZ. Within each of these categories, the data are further subdivided into north and south.

Readers are invited to review and use the data tables to assess whether this combined MIZ and north/south classification of non-CMA/CA areas provides sufficient detail to support data analysis and research. The intent of this MIZ classification is to reveal previously hidden data detail and thereby help users address issues related to this vast geographic area.

This is the first of three related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE). The second working paper (no. 2000-2, 92F0138MPE00002) provides background information about the methodology used to delineate the MIZ classification. The third working paper (no. 2000-3, 92F0138MPE00003) describes the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada that separates the north from the south to further differentiate the MIZ classification.

This bulletin updates and summarizes information on the structure and trends for the rural population of Canada, using three major definitions of rural Canada: the "census rural" definition, the "rural and small town" definition and the OECD "predominantly rural region" definition. Each definition illustrates a specific aspect of rural Canada. This analysis is entirely based on data from the Census of Population from 1981 to 2006 (Statistics Canada, 2007).

Traditionally, Statistics Canada uses standard geographic areas as "containers" for the dissemination of statistical data. However, geographic structures are often used as variables in general applications, for example, to document the rural and urban population in a specific area such as an incorporated municipality (census subdivision). They are not often cross-tabulated with each other to illustrate and analyse specific social and economic processes, for example, the settlement patterns of the population inside and outside of larger urban centres broken down by urban and rural areas.The introduction of the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) concept presents additional opportunities to use geographic structures as variables to analyse census data.The objectives of this working paper are to illustrate the advantages of using geographic structures as variables to better analyse social and economic processes and to initiate a discussion in the user community about using these variables and the potential of this largely untapped capability of the Census databases. In order to achieve these objectives, four examples of geography as a variable are presented. The examples include Aboriginal persons living on-reserve and off-reserve in urban and rural areas in Canada, the unemployment rate of persons living in urban and rural areas in Canada, the gross rent of renter households in urban and rural areas in Canada, and the migration flows of persons 15 to 24 years of age between major urban centres and rural and small town areas (MIZ).Our intent is to encourage the use of geographic structures as census variables in order to provide users with the tools that will enable them to more accurately analyse the social and economic processes that take place in the geographic areas of Canada.

This working paper provides an overview of census metropolitan and census agglomeration influenced zones, or MIZ, their background and the methodology used to define them. The MIZ classification is an approach to better differentiate areas of Canada outside of census metropolitan areas (CMA) and census agglomerations (CA). Census subdivisions that lie outside these areas are classified into one of four zones of influence ranging from "strong" to "no" influence according to the degree of influence that CMA/CAs have on them. The MIZ classification fills a gap in Statistics Canada's geographic framework and promotes data integration since we expect it will be possible to obtain survey data as well as census data based on the same geographic structure. Studies done with a preliminary version of MIZ showed the potential of MIZ to reveal the diversity of non-metropolitan Canada. Based on feedback received on that initial research, this working paper reports on more recent work that has been done to refine the number and data breakpoints for MIZ categories and to examine the additional variables of distances between census subdivisions (CSDs), physical adjacency and a north-south allocation.

This is the second in a series of three related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE) that describe a new statistical area classification that includes census metropolitan areas/census agglomerations, MIZ and the North concept. The first working paper (no. 2000-1, 92F0138MPE00001) briefly describes MIZ and provides tables of selected socio-economic characteristics from the 1991 Census tabulated by the MIZ categories. The third working paper (no. 2000-3, 92F0138MPE00003) describes the North concept and the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada that separates the north from the south to further differentiate the MIZ classification.

Statistics Canada's interest in a common delineation of the north for statistical analysis purposes evolved from research to devise a classification to further differentiate the largely rural and remote areas that make up 96% of Canada's land area. That research led to the establishment of the census metropolitan area and census agglomeration influenced zone (MIZ) concept. When applied to census subdivisions, the MIZ categories did not work as well in northern areas as in the south. Therefore, the Geography Division set out to determine a north-south divide that would differentiate the north from the south independent of any standard geographic area boundaries.

This working paper describes the methodology used to define a continuous line across Canada to separate the north from the south, as well as lines marking transition zones on both sides of the north-south line. It also describes the indicators selected to derive the north-south line and makes comparisons to alternative definitions of the north. The resulting classification of the north complements the MIZ classification. Together, census metropolitan areas, census agglomerations, MIZ and the North form a new Statistical Area Classification (SAC) for Canada.

Two related Geography working papers (catalogue no. 92F0138MPE) provide further details about the MIZ classification. Working paper no. 2000-1 (92F0138MPE00001) briefly describes MIZ and includes tables of selected socio-economic characteristics from the 1991 Census tabulated by the MIZ categories, and working paper no. 2000-2 (92F0138MPE00002) describes the methodology used to define the MIZ classification.

This paper looks at non-metropolitan areas in Canada in depth by breaking them down into three smaller areas using the Metropolitan Influence Zones (MIZ) conceptual framework. It then looks at the differences between these areas.

This paper describes the changes made to the structure of geography information on SLID from reference year 1999 onwards. It goes into reasons for changing to the 2001 Census-based geography, shows how the overlap between the 1991 and 2001 Census-based concepts are handled, provides detail on how the geographic concepts are implemented, discusses a new imputation procedure and finishes with an illustration of the impact of these changes on selected tables.