Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
Data sources, methods and definitions

View the most recent version.

Skip to text

Text begins

Data sources

The data in this document are from censuses of population and the 2011 National Household Survey. Further information on the 2016 Census of Population can be found in the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 98‑304‑X.

Methods

The 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) employed a different methodology from that used for the 2016 Census, the 2006 Census and prior censuses. These differences can affect comparability between 2016 Census estimates and 2011 NHS estimates. For more information on the comparability between the 2016 Census and the 2011 NHS, please refer to the Guide to the Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98-304-X.

Additional information on the quality and comparability of census data on: immigration and ethnocultural diversity can be found in the Place of Birth, Generation Status, Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide, Census of Population, 2016, Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 98‑500‑X2016007; language variables can be found in the Language Reference Guide, Census of population, 2016, Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 98-500-X2016003.

Random rounding and percentage distributions: To ensure the confidentiality of responses collected for the 2011 and 2016 censuses, a random rounding process is used to alter the values reported in individual cells. As a result, when these data are summed or grouped, the total value may not match the sum of the individual values, since the total and subtotals are independently rounded. Similarly, percentage distributions, which are calculated on rounded data, may not necessarily add up to 100%.

Because of random rounding, counts and percentages may vary slightly between different census products, such as the analytical documents, highlight tables and data tables.

Definitions

“Established immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status at least five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, it is an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status before 2011.

The “first official language spoken” variable was developed by Statistics Canada in 1989 at the request of the federal government to help estimate the potential demand for government services in either official language. Statistics Canada proposed two methods (methods I and II) to estimate first official language spoken. Method I was adopted in the Official Languages (Communications with and Services to the Public) Regulations. Under Method I, first official language spoken is derived successively from answers to the questions on knowledge of official languages, mother tongue and language spoken most often at home.

“Knowledge of official languages” refers to whether the person can conduct a conversation in English only, French only, in both languages or in neither language.

“Language spoken most often at home” refers to the language the person speaks most often at home at the time of data collection.

“Mother tongue” refers to the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the person at the time the data was collected.

“Recent immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained his or her landed immigrant or permanent resident status in the five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, the period extends between January 1, 2011, and May 10, 2016.

Please refer to the Dictionary, Census of Population, 2016, Catalogue no. 98‑ 301‑X, Statistics Canada for additional information on the other census variables.