Social inclusion indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada: Civic engagement and political participation

Additional information

The Data visualization tool — Social inclusion indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada: Civic engagement and political participation is part of a conceptual framework on social inclusion and covers a total of 11 themes. Each theme has a similar interactive visualization tool that is accessible on the page Data visualization tools — Social inclusion indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada.

These themes are participation in the labour market, representation in decision-making positions, civic engagement and political participation, basic needs and housing, health and well-being, education and skills development, income and wealth, social connections and personal networks, institutions and public services, local community, and discrimination and victimization.

The framework, the indicators and the visualization tools are products released by the Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics that aim to support Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy by providing evidence. Over 120 indicators can be used to examine various socioeconomic facets of visible minorities which are being referred to as "racialized population" in analytical and communication products at Statistics Canada.

Visible minority

In 2021 Census analytical and communications products, the term "visible minority" has been replaced by the terms "racialized population" or "racialized groups," reflecting the increased use of these terms in the public sphere. For technical reasons the term "visible minority" is used in this data visualization tool. The data displayed in this visualization tool are measured from the standard census variable of visible minority.

Visible minority refers to whether a person is a visible minority or not, 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." The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese.

For data quality reasons or to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act, the category of "West Asian," "Korean," "Japanese," "Visible minority not included elsewhere," and "Not specified" are included in "Total — Visible minority" and "Total visible minority population," but not available as an option of selection in the drop-down menu of this data visualization tool.

Gender

Gender refers to an individual’s personal and social identity as a man, woman or non-binary person (a person who is not exclusively a man or a woman).

Given that the non-binary population is small and to protect the confidentiality of responses provided, individuals in the category "non-binary persons" are distributed into the other two gender categories and are denoted by the "+" symbol. For more information on the "gender" concept, please consult the Age, Sex at Birth and Gender reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Definitions

The percentages of the indicators are calculated including non-response records or missing data in the denominator.

Member or participant of at least one group, organization or association

Includes persons aged 15 years old and over who were part, as a member or participant during the 12 months preceding the survey, in at least one of the 12 types of groups, associations or organizations identified in the General social survey on Social Identity. The groups, organizations or associations could be formally organized or informal groups (where people get together regularly to do an activity or talk about things); they include groups in which the respondent was active through the Internet.

Member or participant by type of group, organization or association (11)

This series of indicators includes persons aged 15 years old and over who were a member or participant during the 12 months preceding the survey, for each of the following 11 different types of groups, organizations or associations: sports organizations; cultural, educational or hobby organizations; unions or professional associations; political parties or organizations; religious-affiliated groups; school groups, neighborhood associations, civic or community associations; humanitarian organizations, charities or service clubs; seniors clubs; youth organizations; immigrant or ethnic associations; environmental groups. The results for the category "other types of groups, organizations or associations" are not displayed.

Participation in political activities

Includes persons aged 15 years and over who participated, in the last 12 months preceding the survey, in one or more of the following political activities: searching for information on a political issue; volunteering for a political party; expressing views on an issue by contacting a newspaper or a politician or through an Internet forum or news website; signing a petition on paper or on the Internet; boycotting or choosing a product for ethical reasons; attending a public meeting; speaking out in a public meeting; participating in a demonstration or march; wearing a badge, T-shirt or displaying a lawn sign in support of or opposition to a political or social cause.

Vote in federal, provincial and municipal elections

Includes Canadians citizens aged 18 years and over who reported being eligible to vote and who reported voting in the last specified elections.

Related products

Social Inclusion Framework for Ethnocultural Groups in Canada, Infosheet

Reference guide on the social indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada 2024, Ethnicity, Language and Immigration Thematic Series, March 2024

Perceived health and well-being indicators among racialized groups, 2023, Ethnicity, Language and Immigration Thematic Series, February 2025

The Daily – Social inclusion for ethnocultural groups in Canada: New tables

The Daily – Statistics on social inclusion for ethnocultural groups in Canada: New products and selected results on the evolution of education among racialized groups, 2006 to 2021

The Daily – Housing conditions among racialized groups: a brief overview

The Daily – Portraits of the social, political and economic participation of racialized groups