Social inclusion indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada: Social connections and personal networks 

Additional information

The Data visualization tool — Social inclusion indicators for ethnocultural groups in Canada: Social connections and personal networks 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In 2021 Census analytical and communications products, the term "visible minority" has been replaced by the terms "racialized population" or "racialized groups," reflecting the increased use of these terms in the public sphere.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 for the data from the 2020 General Social Survey on Social Identity 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.

The sex variable in census years prior to 2021 and the two-category gender variable in the 2021 Census are included together in this data visualization tool. Although sex and gender refer to two different concepts, the introduction of gender is not expected to have a significant impact on data analysis and historical comparability, given the small size of the transgender and non-binary populations. For more information on the "gender" variable and information on changes of concepts over time, please consult the Age, Sex at Birth and Gender Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2021.

Definitions

Trusting most people in general

Includes persons aged 15 years and old who described their general trust in people as "most people can be trusted." The other possible answer was "You cannot be too careful in dealing with people." The percentages of the indicators are calculated including non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know" and "Not stated") in the denominator.

Strong sense of belonging (local community, town or city, province and Canada) (4)

This series of four indicators includes persons aged of 15 years old and over who described their sense of belonging very strong or somewhat strong to the level of residence unit. The other possible responses choices were somewhat weak, very weak and no opinion. The percentages of the indicators are calculated including non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know" and "Not stated") in the denominator.

Local personal network size (close relatives and close friends) (3)

Local personal networks include close relatives and close friends who live in the same city or the same local community as the respondent. People who live in the same household as the respondent are also included in this category. Close relatives and close friends are people with whom the respondent feels at ease with could freely speak their mind or call on for help. Includes the population aged 15 and over. The percentages of the indicators are calculated excluding non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know" and "Not stated") in the denominator.

Number of close relatives (2) and close friends (2)

Refers to the total number of close relatives or close friends reported by the respondent and with whom he feels close. This category includes close relative(s) or close friend(s) depending on the indicator who live in a different city, a different local community or a different household as the respondent as well as those who live in the same city, the same local community or the same household as the respondent. Close relatives or close friends are people with whom the respondent feels at ease with could freely speak their mind or call on for help. Includes the population aged 15 and over. The percentages of the indicators are calculated excluding non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know" and "Not stated") in the denominator.

Number of other friends or acquaintances (3)

This type of personal network includes the total number of other friends and acquaintances reported by the respondent. Other friends and acquaintances are individuals to whom the respondent does not feel close. The people included in the personal network of other friends and acquaintance can live in the same or in a different local community or household as the respondent. Includes the population aged 15 and over. The percentages of the indicators are calculated excluding non-response records or missing data in the denominator.

Having ethnically diverse networks of friends and acquaintances

Respondents with ethnically diverse networks are those who reported that at least half of friends they have been in contact last month come from an ethnic group visibly different from their own. These contacts were in person, by telephone, by text, e-mail or any other form of online communication (such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or online gaming). Includes the population aged 15 and over. The percentages of the indicators are calculated excluding non-response categories ("Refusal," "Don't know" and "Not stated") in the denominator.

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