Safe Cities profile series: Key indicators by census metropolitan area
Definitions and data sources
Definitions are presented in the order the concepts appear in the profile text. All cited surveys are Statistics Canada products unless otherwise noted. Values have been rounded to the nearest whole number. For census and sample survey data, however, one decimal place is shown for each of the values related to the same concept where an unrounded value was less than 10%.
Census metropolitan area: formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centred on a population centre (known as the core). A census metropolitan area (CMA) must have a total population of at least 100,000 of which 50,000 or more must live in the core. To be included in the CMA, other adjacent municipalities must have a high degree of integration with the core, as measured by commuting flows derived from data on place of work (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Census agglomeration: formed by one or more adjacent municipalities centred on a population centre (known as the core). A CA must have a core population of at least 10,000. To be included in the CA, other adjacent municipalities must have a high degree of integration with the core, as measured by commuting flows derived from data on place of work (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Population and demographics
Population: population estimates are based on the Standard Geographical Classification 2016 as delineated in the 2016 Census of Population. Population estimates as of July 1 are preliminary postcensal for 2018. The age distribution of the population is based on age on July 1 (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Population density: the total 2018 population estimate divided by the land area in square kilometres (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Indigenous: also referred to as Aboriginal identity, which includes persons who are First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit) and/or those who are Registered or Treaty Indians (that is registered under the Indian Act of Canada) and/or those who have membership in a First Nation or Indian band. Aboriginal peoples of Canada are defined in the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35 (2) as including the Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Immigrants: includes persons who are or who have ever been landed immigrants or permanent residents. Such persons have been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this category. Includes immigrants who landed in Canada on or prior to May 10, 2016 (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Recent immigrants: an immigrant who first obtained his or her landed immigrant or permanent resident status between January 1, 2011, and May 10, 2016 (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Visible minorities: refers to whether a person belongs to a visible minority group as defined by the Employment Equity Act, and if so, the visible minority group to which the person belongs. 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, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Education, employment and income
Highest level of education: highest certificate diploma or degree is the classification used in the Census of Population to measure the broader concept of ‘educational attainment.’ This variable refers to the highest level of education that a person has successfully completed and is derived from the educational qualifications questions which asked for all certificates, diplomas and degrees to be reported. The general hierarchy used in deriving this variable (high school, trades, college, university) is loosely tied to the ‘in-class’ duration of the various types of education. At the detailed level, someone who has completed one type of certificate, diploma or degree will not necessarily have completed the credentials listed below it in the hierarchy. For example, a person with an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma may not have completed a high school certificate or diploma, nor does an individual with a master’s degree necessarily have a certificate or diploma above bachelor level. Although the hierarchy may not fit all programs perfectly, it gives a general measure of educational attainment. Users are advised to consult data quality comments for ‘highest certificate, diploma or degree’ available in the Education Reference Guide (2016 Census of Population, Catalogue no. 98-500-X2016013; accessed January 15, 2020).
Completed postsecondary education: includes persons who have completed an apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma; a college, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma; or a university certificate, diploma or degree. Users are advised to consult data quality comments for ‘highest certificate, diploma or degree’ available in the Education Reference Guide (2016 Census of Population, Catalogue no. 98-500-X2016013; accessed January 15, 2020).
Completed high school (or equivalent): includes persons who have a secondary (high) school diploma or equivalency certificate as their highest educational qualification. It excludes persons with a postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. Users are advised to consult data quality comments for ‘highest certificate, diploma or degree’ available in the Education Reference Guide (2016 Census of Population, Catalogue no. 98-500-X2016013; accessed January 15, 2020).
Unemployment rate (2018): the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force. According to the 2018 Labour Force Survey (LFS), unemployment refers to persons who, during the reference week, were without work, but had looked for work in the past four weeks ending with the reference period and were available for work; were on temporary layoff due to business conditions, with an expectation of recall, and were available for work; or were without work, but had a job to start within four weeks from the reference period and were available for work. The LFS uses a four-week search period, although the reference period for identifying the employed is one week. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (Table 14-10-0096-01, Labour force characteristics by census metropolitan area, annual, 2018). Due to availability of data, the unemployment rate for Lethbridge is based on the census agglomeration of Lethbridge instead of the census metropolitan area (Table 14-10-0102-01, Labour force characteristics by census agglomeration, annual, 2018; accessed October 29, 2019).
Unemployment rate (2016): the number of unemployed persons expressed as a percentage of the labour force the week of Sunday, May 1, to Saturday, May 7, 2016. Due to availability of data, the unemployment rate for Belleville, Ontario and Canada in the profile for the census metropolitan area of Belleville are based on 2016 Census of Population data instead of 2018 Labour Force Survey data. According to the 2016 Census of Population, unemployment refers to persons who, during the week of Sunday, May 1, to Saturday, May 7, 2016, were without paid work or without self-employment work and were available for work and either: had actively looked for paid work in the past four weeks; or were on temporary lay-off and expected to return to their job; or had definite arrangements to start a new job in four weeks or less (2016 Census of Population; accessed October 29, 2019).
Median after-tax annual income: the sum of the after-tax incomes of all members of the census family in 2017. Census families are comprised of: 1) couples (married or common-law, including same-sex couples) living in the same dwelling with or without children, and 2) single parents (male or female) living with one or more children. Includes all family units, which corresponds to the combination of census families and persons not in census families. The median is the middle number in a group of numbers. Where a median income, for example, is given as $26,000, it means that exactly half of the incomes reported are greater than or equal to $26,000, and that the other half is less than or equal to the median amount. Zero values are included in the calculation of medians. A detailed definition of after-tax income is available from the Technical Reference Guide for the Annual Income Estimates for Census Families, Individuals and Seniors (Table 11-10-0017-01, Census families by family type and family composition including before and after-tax median income of the family, annual, 2017; accessed January 14, 2020).
Low-income families: determined using the Census Family Low Income After-Tax Measure (CFLIM-AT) statistics derived from the 2017 T1 Family File. Individuals are defined as having low income if their adjusted after-tax income falls below 50% of the total population median adjusted after-tax income. Adjusted after-tax income is derived by dividing census family income by the square root of the census family size and assigning this value to all persons in the census family. This adjustment distributes income among the members of the census family, and takes into account the economies of scale present in larger families, the increasing number of people living on their own and the decline in family size over time. Updated methodology for the CFLIM-AT was introduced in April 2018. Includes all family units, which corresponds to the combination of census families and persons not in census families (Table 11-10-0018-01, After-tax low income status of tax filers and dependants based on Census Family Low Income Measure [CFLIM-AT], by family type and family type composition, annual, 2017; accessed January 14, 2020).
Housing and families
Persons per household: refers to the average number of persons in a private household. In this data, the concept of private household is being used. A private household refers to a person or group of persons who occupy the same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada or abroad (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Home ownership: where the household owns their private dwelling. A household is considered to own their dwelling if some member of the household owns the dwelling even if it is not fully paid for (e.g., there is a mortgage or some other claim on it) (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Shelter costs and unaffordable housing: shelter costs refer to the average monthly total of all shelter expenses paid by households that own or rent their private dwelling. Shelter costs for owner households include, where applicable, mortgage payments, property taxes and condominium fees, along with the costs of electricity, heat, water and other municipal services. For renter households, shelter costs include, where applicable, the rent and the costs of electricity, heat, water and other municipal services. Shelter-cost-to-income ratio is one measure of housing affordability and is calculated by dividing the average monthly shelter costs by the average monthly totally household income and multiplying the result by 100 (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Dwellings in need of major repairs: includes occupied dwellings needing major repairs such as dwellings with defective plumbing or electrical wiring, and dwellings needing structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings. This does not include remodelling or additions (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Lone-parent families: refers to families containing only one parent with his or her child(ren) (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Homelessness: based on “Point-in-Time (PiT) counts,” which measures homelessness in selected Canadian communities using a one-day snapshot methodology. The PiT count is the product of a joint initiative between the Government of Canada (Employment and Social Development Canada [ESDC]) and 32 communities across Canada that undertook a coordinated count of homeless populations at some point between 2012 and 2018. The PiT count estimates how many people are experiencing homelessness in emergency shelters, transitional housing and unsheltered locations, and people who are in health or correctional facilities who do not have a place to go when they are released. The definition of homelessness varies between communities, as does the PiT count date. For this reason, figures should not be compared from one census metropolitan area (CMA) to another. Note that the boundaries of the participating communities do not necessarily align with the geographic boundaries of a CMA (for more information, see https://www.homelesshub.ca/CommunityProfiles, or refer to ESDC’s report, 2016 Coordinated Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness in Canadian Communities; accessed September 6, 2019).
Community safety and sense of belonging
Satisfaction with personal safety from crime: percent of respondents who reported being very satisfied or satisfied with their personal safety from crime (illustrative diagram at beginning of fact sheet) or the percent of respondents who reported being very satisfied with their personal safety from crime (bullet point within fact sheet). The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Felt safe when walking alone after dark: percent of respondents who reported feeling very safe when walking alone in one’s neighbourhood after dark. Percent calculations exclude those who stated they never walk alone after dark. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Perceived social disorder: percent of respondents who reported perceiving at least one form of disorder (whether physical or social) to be a big or moderate problem in their neighbourhood. Social disorder includes noisy neighbours or loud parties; people hanging around on the streets; garbage or litter lying around; vandalism, graffiti or other damage to property or vehicles; people attacked because of skin colour, ethnicity or religion; people using or dealing drugs; and people being drunk or rowdy in public places. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Sense of belonging to community: percent of respondents who reported a very strong sense of belonging to their local community. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Experienced discrimination: percent of respondents who reported experiencing discrimination between 2009 and 2014. Discrimination includes being treated unfairly by others in Canada because of one’s sex, ethnicity or culture, race or skin colour, physical appearance, religion, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, language or another reason. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Knowing people in the neighbourhood: percent of respondents who reported that they knew most of the people in their neighbourhood. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Perceived crime levels: percent of respondents who reported that they perceived crime levels in their neighbourhood to be lower than other areas in Canada. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Confidence in police: percent of respondents who reported having a great deal or some confidence in police. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Self-reported experiences of victimization
Self-reported violent victimization: the number of self-reported incidents of violent victimization for the population aged 15 and older in 2014, expressed as a rate on the basis of 1,000 population. Self-reported violent victimization includes physical assault, sexual assault and robbery. The responses “don't know,” “not stated” and “refusal” are included in the calculation of percentages. These responses typically represent less than 2% of all responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Victim of a physical or sexual assault: percent of respondents aged 15 and older who reported experiencing a physical assault or sexual assault in the 12 months preceding the 2018 survey. Excludes violence committed by intimate partners. Percent calculations include missing and not stated responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces).
Unwanted sexual behaviour in public: percent of respondents aged 15 and older who reported experiencing unwanted sexual behaviour in public in the 12 months preceding the 2018 survey. Unwanted sexual behaviour includes unwanted sexual attention, unwanted physical contact, unwanted comments about gender identity, unwanted comments about sexual orientation and indecent exposure. Public places include commercial or institutional establishments (e.g., restaurants, bars, schools, stores, and shopping malls), streets, public transportation and other public spaces. Percent calculations include missing and not stated responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces).
Incidents taking place on public transit: of the respondents aged 15 and older who reported at least one experience of violent victimization (physical assault, sexual assault or unwanted sexual behaviour) in the 12 months preceding the 2018 survey, the percent of respondents who stated that the most serious incident of violent victimization they experienced occurred on public transportation. Percent calculations include missing and not stated responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces).
Main mode of commuting: the main mode of commuting for the employed labour force aged 15 and older in private households with a usual place of work or no fixed workplace address in 2016. The census assumes that the commute to work originates from the usual place of residence but this may not always be the case. Sometimes respondents may be on a business trip and may have reported their place of work or main mode of commuting based on where they were working during the trip. Some persons maintain a residence close to work and commute to their home on weekends. Students often work after school at a location near their school. Categories include public transit; car, truck or van (as a driver or passenger); walking; bicycle or other method of transportation (2016 Census of Population; accessed January 15, 2020).
Changed behaviour while in public: percent of respondents who reported experiencing violent victimization (physical assault, sexual assault or unwanted sexual behaviour) in public in the 12 months preceding the 2018 survey who stated that they changed their behaviour while in public as a result of their victimization. Percent calculations include missing and not stated responses. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces).
Police-reported crime
Police-reported crime: the number of Criminal Code incidents reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population. Police-reported crime includes violent crime, property crime, other Criminal Code offences, traffic offences, drug offences and other federal statute offences. Counts are based upon the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple offences. Populations are based upon July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Crime severity: based on the Crime Severity Index (CSI), which is a measure of the severity of police-reported crime. The CSI includes all Criminal Code violations including traffic offences, as well as drug violations and other federal statute offences. In the CSI, all crimes are assigned a weight based on their seriousness. The level of seriousness is based on actual sentences handed down by the courts in all provinces and territories. More serious crimes are assigned higher weights, while less serious offences are assigned lower weights. As a result, more serious offences have a greater impact on changes in the index. CSI weights are updated using data from the Integrated Criminal Courts Survey every five years. The last update to the CSI weights was in 2017. The base index was set at 100 for 2006 for Canada (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Property crime
Police-reported property crime: the number of property crimes reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population. Property crimes involve unlawful acts to gain property, but do not involve the use or threat of violence against the person. Property offences include: breaking and entering, possession of stolen property (includes trafficking and the intent to traffic stolen goods), theft of a motor vehicle, theft over $5,000 (non-motor vehicle), theft of $5,000 or under (non-motor vehicle), fraud, identity theft, identity fraud, mischief (altering, removing or destroying a vehicle identification number) and arson. Counts are based upon the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple offences. Populations are based upon July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Self-reported property crime: the number of self-reported incidents of household victimization in 2014, expressed as a rate on the basis of 1,000 households. Self-reported property crime includes breaking and entering, theft of a motor vehicle or parts, theft of household property and vandalism. Statistically significant differences noted are at p < 0.05. Data for Canada overall excludes the territories (2014 General Social Survey on Canadians’ Safety [Victimization]).
Violent crime
Police-reported violent crime: the number of violent crimes reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population. Violent crimes involve the use or threat of violence against a person. Violent offences include: violations causing death and attempted murder (including homicide and attempted murder), sexual assault (level 1, 2 and 3), sexual violations against children, physical assaults and other violent Criminal Code offences, such as robbery, kidnapping, extortion, trafficking in persons, criminal harassment and uttering threats. Counts are based upon the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple offences. Populations are based upon July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Severity of violent crime: like the overall Crime Severity Index (CSI), the violent CSI is measure of the severity of police-reported violent crime. The violent CSI includes all Incident-based Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR2) violent violations, some of which were not included in the aggregate violent crime category, including uttering threats, criminal harassment and forcible confinement (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Hate crime
Police-reported hate crime: the number of hate crimes reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population. Police-reported hate crime refers to criminal incidents that, upon investigation by police, are found to have been motivated by hatred toward an identifiable group. An incident may be against a person or property and may target race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, language, sex, age, or mental or physical disability, among other factors. Police data on hate-motivated crimes depend on police services’ level of expertise in identifying crimes motivated by hate. Hate crime data for the census metropolitan area of Québec are not available due to data quality concerns. Counts are based upon the most serious violation in the incident. One incident may involve multiple offences. Populations are based upon July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Intimate partner violence
Police-reported intimate partner violence: the number of incidents of intimate partner violence reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population aged 15 to 89. Intimate partner violence refers to violence committed by legally married, separated or divorced spouses, common-law partners (current and former), dating partners (current and former) and other intimate partners. Intimate partner data for the census metropolitan area of Saint John are not available due to data quality concerns. Victims refer to those aged 15 to 89. Victims aged 90 and older are excluded from analyses due to possible instances of miscoding of unknown age within this age category. Excludes victims where the sex or the age was unknown (Uniform Crime Reporting Survey).
Homicide
Police-reported homicide: the number of homicide victims reported by police in a given year, expressed as a rate on the basis of 100,000 population. Homicide is either culpable (murder, manslaughter or infanticide) or non-culpable (not an offence and, therefore, not included in the Homicide Survey). Deaths caused by criminal negligence, suicide and accidental or justifiable homicide (e.g., self-defence) are not included. Homicide includes first and second degree murder, manslaughter and infanticide. Populations are based upon July 1 estimates from Statistics Canada, Centre for Demography (Homicide Survey).
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