Quarterly Demographic Estimates
Data quality, concepts and methodology

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Methodology

This section describes the concepts, data sources and methodology used to produce the population estimates. Population estimates are produced to measure the population counts according to various characteristics and geographies between two censuses. The demographic estimates are the official population estimates at the national, provincial and territorial levels.

Postcensal estimates are based on the 2016 Census.

Population Estimates

Estimates of the total population

Types of estimates

Population estimates can be either intercensal or postcensal. Intercensal estimates are produced using the counts from two consecutive censuses adjusted for census net undercoverage (CNU) Note 1  and postcensal estimates. The production of intercensal estimates involves updating the postcensal estimates using the counts from a new census adjusted for CNU.Note 1

Postcensal estimates are produced using data from the most recent census adjusted for CNUNote 1 and the components of demographic growth. In terms of timeliness, postcensal estimates are more up-to-date than data from the most recent census adjusted for CNU,Note 1 but as they get farther from the date of that census, they become more variable.

Levels of estimates

The production of the population estimates between censuses entails the use of data from administrative files or surveys. The quality of population estimates therefore depends on the availability of a number of administrative data files that are provided to Statistics Canada by Canadian and foreign government departments. Since some components are not available until several months after the reference date, three kinds of postcensal estimates are produced preliminary postcensal (PP), updated postcensal (PR) and final postcensal (PD). The time lag between the reference date and the release date is three months for preliminary estimates and two to three years for final estimates. Though it requires more vigilance on the part of users, the production of three successive series of postcensal estimates is the strategy that best satisfies the need for both timeliness and accuracy of the estimates. All tables indicate the level of the estimates they contain.

Calculation of postcensal population estimates

Population estimates – preliminary, updated and final – are produced by the component method. This method consists of taking the population figures from the most recent census, adjusted for the CNUNote 1 (census undercoverage minus census overcoverage), and adding or subtracting the number of births, deaths, and components of international and interprovincial migration.

A. Provincial / territorial estimates of total population

Population estimates are produced for the provinces and territories first; then they are summed to obtain an estimate of the population of Canada.

The component-method formula for estimating the total provincial / territorial populations is as follows:

P (t+i) = P (t) + B (t,t+i) D (t,t+i) + I (t,t+i) [ E (t,t+i) +ΔT E (t,t+i) ]+R E (t,t+i) +ΔNP R (t,t+i) +ΔN inter (t,t+i) R esid (t,t+i) MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaamiuamaaBa aaleaacaGGOaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGGPaaabeaakiaaysW7 cqGH9aqpcaaMe8UaamiuamaaBaaaleaacaGGOaGaamiDaiaacMcaae qaaOGaaGjbVlabgUcaRiaaysW7caWGcbWaaSbaaSqaaiaacIcacaGG 0bGaaiilaiaadshacqGHRaWkcaWGPbGaaiykaaqabaGccaaMi8Uaey OeI0IaaGjcVlaadseadaWgaaWcbaGaaiikaiaacshacaGGSaGaamiD aiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGGPaaabeaakiaayIW7cqGHRaWkcaaMi8Uaam ysamaaBaaaleaacaGGOaGaaiiDaiaacYcacaWG0bGaey4kaSIaamyA aiaacMcaaeqaaOGaaGjcVlabgkHiTiaaysW7daWadaqaaiaadweada WgaaWcbaGaaiikaiaacshacaGGSaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGG PaaabeaakiaayIW7cqGHRaWkcaaMe8UaeyiLdqKaamivaiaadweada WgaaWcbaGaaiikaiaacshacaGGSaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGG PaaabeaaaOGaay5waiaaw2faaiaayIW7cqGHRaWkcaaMi8UaamOuai aadweadaWgaaWcbaGaaiikaiaacshacaGGSaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaa dMgacaGGPaaabeaakiaayIW7cqGHRaWkcaaMi8UaeyiLdqKaamOtai aadcfacaWGsbWaaSbaaSqaaiaacIcacaGG0bGaaiilaiaadshacqGH RaWkcaWGPbGaaiykaaqabaGccaaMi8Uaey4kaSIaaGjbVlabgs5aej aad6eaqaaaaaaaaaWdbiaabMgacaqGUbGaaeiDaiaabwgacaqGYbWd amaaBaaaleaacaGGOaGaaiiDaiaacYcacaWG0bGaey4kaSIaamyAai aacMcaaeqaaOGaaGjcVlabgkHiTiaayIW7caWGsbWdbiaabwgacaqG ZbGaaeyAaiaabsgapaWaaSbaaSqaaiaacIcacaGG0bGaaiilaiaads hacqGHRaWkcaWGPbGaaiykaaqabaaaaa@B633@

where, for each province and territory:

(t,t+i) MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aqatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaKaaiikai aadshacaGGSaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGGPaaaaa@3C0B@

=

interval between times t and t+i;
P (t+i) MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamiuaO WaaSbaaKqaGfaacaGGOaGaamiDaiabgUcaRiaadMgacaGGPaaabeaa aaa@3BEB@

=

estimate of the population at time t+i;
P (t) MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamiuaO WaaSbaaKqaGfaacaGGOaGaamiDaiaacMcaaeqaaaaa@3A1B@

=

base population at time t (census adjusted for (CNU)Note 1 or most recent estimate);
B MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamOqaa aa@3726@

=

number of births;
D MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamiraa aa@3728@

=

number of deaths;
I MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamysaa aa@372D@

=

number of immigrants;
E MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamyraa aa@3729@

=

number of emigrants;
ΔTE MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaeyiLdq Kaamivaiaadweaaaa@3969@

=

net temporary emigration;
RE MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamOuai aadweaaaa@3800@

=

number of returning emigrants;
ΔNPR MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaeyiLdq KaamOtaiaadcfacaWGsbaaaa@3A45@

=

net non-permanent residents;
ΔNinter MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaeyiLdq KaamOtaabaaaaaaaaapeGaaeyAaiaab6gacaqG0bGaaeyzaiaabkha aaa@3D6A@

=

net interprovincial migration;
Resid MathType@MTEF@5@5@+= feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq=Jc9 vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0=yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr=x fr=xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaqcaaMaamOuaa baaaaaaaaapeGaaeyzaiaabohacaqGPbGaaeizaaaa@3B07@

=

residual deviation (for intercensal estimates).

B. Levels of estimates

The difference between preliminary Note 2  and final postcensal population estimates lies in the timeliness of the components. When all the components are preliminary, the population estimate is described as preliminary postcensal (PP). When they are all final, the estimate is referred to as final postcensal (PD). Any other combination of levels is referred to as updated postcensal (PR).

Base population and components of demographic growth

A. Base population

The base populations are derived from the quinquennial censuses between 1971 and 2016. The population universe of the 2016 Note 3  Census includes the following groups:

For census purposes, the last three groups are referred to as non-permanent residents (NPR). They have been included in the census universe since 1991 but foreign residents are not included. Foreign residents are persons who belong to the following groups:

These base populations are adjusted as follows:

Adjustment for the census net undercoverage (CNU)

The adjustment for CNU is important. CNU is the difference between the number of persons who should have been enumerated but were missed (undercoverage) and the number of persons who were enumerated but should not have been or who were counted more than once (overcoverage).

Coverage studies provide undercoverage estimates for the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 censuses at the provincial and territorial levels, and for the 1971, 1976, 1981 and 1986 censuses at the provincial level only. Estimates of overcoverage at the provincial and territorial levels are available only for the last six censuses (1991 to 2016). Overcoverage for previous censuses was estimated by assuming that the overcoverage-to-undercoverage ratio for each census between 1971 and 1986 was the same as in 1991. The CNU for the Yukon and the Northwest Territories prior to 1991 was estimated by assuming that the ratio between the CNU for each territory and the 10 provinces for each census between 1971 and 1986 was the same as in 1991.

For consistency, the 1991 Census undercoverage and overcoverage were revised in 1998 to take into account the methodological improvements made in the 1996 Census coverage studies. This revision altered CNU in all censuses between 1971 and 1986. Similarly, the 1996 Census undercoverage and overcoverage were revised in 2003.

B. Births and deaths

The numbers of births and deaths are derived directly from the vital statistics database of Statistics Canada’s Centre for Population Health Data. Although Statistics Canada manages the National system of vital statistics, the central vital statistics registries of the provinces and territories are responsible for collecting and processing the information from those administrative files. Under provincial / territorial vital statistics statutes (or similar legislation), all live births and all deaths must be registered, and all provinces and territories provide this information to Statistics Canada.

The vital statistics universe applied to the population estimates includes births and deaths occurring in Canada, in which the usual place of residence of either the birth mother or the deceased is Canada. Any death or birth occurring outside of Canada, even if the mother or the deceased is Canadian, is excluded from the vital statistics population.

Vital statistics by province or territory of residence are used to produce our final estimates of births and deaths. However, before 2011, the final estimates may differ from the data released by the Centre for Population Health Data due to the imputation of certain unknown values. In addition, for estimates of deaths, the age represents age at the beginning of the period (July 1st) and not the age at the time of occurrence, as with the Centre for Population Health Data. The Centre for Population Health Data releases preliminary data that the Centre for Demography will use. However, this data will not be final.

When there are no vital statistics, the number of births is estimated using fertility rates by the mother’s age group. The number of deaths is estimated by using mortality rates by age group and sex. These methods are used to calculate preliminaryNote 2 estimates.

Special treatment for preliminaryNote 2 estimates for Quebec, British Columbia and Yukon

Quebec, British Columbia and Yukon provide their most recent estimates of births and deaths. The figures are used to produce preliminaryNote 2 estimates. For the final estimates, births and deaths for Quebec and British Columbia are derived from the vital statistics compiled by the Centre for Population Health Data. As of 2017, the total number of births and deaths for Yukon come from their statistical agency.

Levels of estimates

For information on the differences between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates, see section B. Births and Deaths, above.

C. Immigration

Like the numbers of births and deaths, Canadian immigration statistics must be kept by law. In Canada, immigration is regulated by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) of 2002. This statute superseded the Immigration Act, which was passed in 1976 and amended more than 30 times in the years thereafter. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) collects and processes immigrants’ administrative files. It then provides Statistics Canada with information from Global Case Management System (GCMS) files (until December 2010, data come from the Field Operational Support System files (FOSS)). The information is used to estimate the number and characteristics of people granted permanent resident status by the federal government on a given date. For the Centre for Demography, the terms immigrant and permanent resident are equivalent.

An immigrant is a person who is not a Canadian citizen by birth, but has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by Canadian immigration authorities. The number of immigrants does not include persons born abroad to Canadian parents who are only temporarily outside the country.

Immigrants are usually counted on or after the date on which they are granted permanent resident status or the right to live in Canada.

Levels of estimates

The difference between preliminaryNote 2 and final postcensal estimates lies in the timeliness of the source used to estimate this component. Since the GCMS files are continually being updated, new calculations are carried out each year to update the immigration estimates. Immigration estimates are preliminary the first year and final the second year.

D. Net non-permanent residents

Like the numbers of births and deaths, Canadian immigration statistics must be kept by law. In Canada, the non-permanent residents (NPR) are regulated by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) of 2002. This statute superseded the Immigration Act, which was passed in 1976 and amended more than 30 times in the years thereafter. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) collects and processes the administrative files of immigrants and NPRs in Canada. It then provides Statistics Canada with information from Global Case Management System (GCMS) files (until June 2011, data come from the Field Operational Support System files (FOSS)). The information is used to estimate the number and characteristics of people granted non-permanent resident status by the federal government.

NPRs are persons who are lawfully in Canada on a temporary basis under the authority of a temporary resident permit, along with members of their family living with them. NPRs include foreign workers, foreign students, the humanitarian population and other temporary residents. The humanitarian population includes refugee claimants and temporary residents who are allowed to remain in Canada on humanitarian grounds and are not categorized as either foreign workers or foreign students. For the Centre for Demography, the terms non-permanent resident and temporary resident are equivalent.

The number of people in IRCC’s administrative system is estimated on a specific date in each period of observation. First, the end-of-period number of NPR is estimated, and then the start-of-period number of NPR is subtracted from that estimate. That yields the net NPRs used in the calculation of the population estimates.

Anyone who received non-permanent resident status prior to the observation date is counted. For refugee claimants, the date of their application is used. Permit holders and refugee claimants are excluded from the population if their permit has expired, if they receive permanent resident status, or if they are deported. In addition, refugee claimants are excluded if their file has been inactive for two years.

Since GCMS files are continually being updated, the figures are recalculated each year until the estimates of net NPR are final.

Levels of estimates

The difference between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates lies in the timeliness of the source used to estimate this component. Since the GCMS files are continually being updated, the figures are recalculated each year to update the estimates of the net number of NPRs. Non-permanent resident (NPR) estimates are preliminary the first year and updated the following year. They become final two to three years after the reference year, when all other components are also final.

E. Emigration

The number of emigrants is estimated using data from the Office of Immigration Statistics, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, data collected by the Canada child benefit (CCB) program and data from the T1 Family File (T1FF).Note 4 The first source is used to estimate emigration to the United States. CCB data are used to estimate emigration to other countries. The estimates of the number of child emigrants have to be adjusted because the CCB is not universal and does not provide direct information on the number of adult emigrants. As a result, four adjustment factors are taken into account:

The adult emigration rate is applied to the adult population. Adult emigration is distributed by province and territory using data from the T1FFNote 4 file. We calculate a ratio of the number of emigrant adults to the number of emigrant children from the T1FFNote 4 file. We then apply this ratio to the number of emigrant children from the CCB by province, which yields the number of adult emigrants whose provincial distribution will differ from that of the children.

The number of adult emigrants combined with the number of child emigrants (once adjusted for the coverage and differential emigration factors) generate the number of emigrants for the entire population.

Emigration is disaggregated by province and territory based on the number of child emigrants adjusted for coverage and differential emigration.

Please note that the estimates for the most recent periods are expected to be very similar. In the absence of more up-to-date data sources, the emigration rate of the last available year is applied to the beginning of the year population estimate to be estimated.

Levels of estimates

For information on the differences between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates, see section E. Emigration, above.

F. Net temporary emigration

Some people leave Canada to live temporarily in another country while others who were temporarily outside of Canada return. The net result of those departures and returns is the component known as “net temporary emigration”. Estimates of the number of departures are derived from the Reverse Record Check (RRC), the most important census coverage study. The RRC provides an estimate of the number of people who left Canada temporarily during an intercensal period and are still out of the country at the end of the period. Estimates of the number of returns are based on two sources: the census and the Centre for Demography estimates of returning emigrants. The census provides the number of people who were outside Canada at the time of the previous census and returned during the intercensal period. That number includes all returning emigrants. Then the Centre for Demography's estimate of the returning emigrants component is subtracted to produce the number of returning temporary emigrants. The estimated numbers of departures (RRC) and returns (census and Centre for Demography) yield an estimate of net temporary emigration.

The five-year net temporary emigration is calculated first at the national level. It is then disaggregated by province or group of provinces based on RRC estimates of temporary emigration. For the Atlantic provinces and the territories, the estimate for the group is disaggregated on the basis of each province / territory’s proportion of the group’s total population.

This estimate is for the whole intercensal period; it is disaggregated into estimates for each of the five years in the period and then into monthly estimates using a seasonal adjustment that is an average between zero seasonality and the seasonality of emigration.

Net temporary emigration can be estimated only for the intercensal period preceding the most recent census. For the postcensal period, the rate of the last available year (2015/2016) is applied to the beginning of the year population estimate to be estimated.

Levels of estimates

The difference between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates lies in the timeliness of the emigration estimate used to calculate the seasonal adjustment for the net temporary emigration. The same estimation method is used.

G. Returning emigrants

A returning emigrant is a person who returns to Canada after having been classified as an emigrant. In a manner similar to the procedure used to calculate the number of emigrants, data from the Canada child benefit (CCB) file from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and T1FFNote 4 file are used to estimate the number of returning emigrants. Adjustment factors are applied to compensate for the fact that the CCB program is not universal, and an adult/child ratio is used to estimate the number of adult returning emigrants. As a result, four adjustment factors are used to take into account:

Please note that the estimates for the most recent periods are expected to be identical or very similar. In the absence of more up-to-date data sources, the assumption is made that levels remain similar.

Levels of estimates

For information on the differences between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates, see section G. Returning emigrants, above.

H. Interprovincial migration

Interprovincial migration represents movements from one province or territory to another, involving a change in usual place of residence. As is the case for emigration, there is no provision for recording interprovincial migration in Canada. Consequently, such movements have to be estimated using data from the Canada child benefit (CCB) of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and T1FF.Note 4

Final estimates of interprovincial migration are obtained by comparing addresses indicated on personal income tax returns over two consecutive tax years. However, the migration status of tax filers’ dependants has to be imputed. An adjustment is also required to take into account migrants who do not file income tax returns. From 2001/2002 to 2005/2006, the adjustment was slightly modified (for further information, see Wilkinson, 2004). From 2006/2007, this adjustment has been slightly modified (Cyr, 2008 – Internal document).

Since income tax returns are not available at the time preliminary estimates are produced, the estimation of preliminaryNote 2 interprovincial migration is based on CCB administrative files, which provide counts of child migrants (aged 0 to 17) registered to the program. The estimates have to be adjusted later for children who are not registered to the CCB program. Finally, the number of adult migrants is calculated using the number of child migrants and factors derived from the T1FF.Note 4 As a result, three adjustment factors are used to take into account:

The adult migration rate is then applied to the estimated adult population. The number of adult migrants is then added to the number of child migrants to produce the number of interprovincial migrants for the entire population.

Since 2015, the method to estimate the interprovincial migration has been modified. This new method is applied from July 2011 onward. In order to reduce the differences between the preliminary annual series (which was derived from the sum of 12 monthly migration matrices) and the final annual series, CCB microdata have been used. Using microdata is allowing estimating migration for various periods (monthly, quarterly and annually). It also allows improving the comparability between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates. Final annual estimates (T1FF)Note 4 are now distributed by quarter on the basis of preliminaryNote 2 quarterly estimates derived from CCB microdata. It is important to note that, as a result of using CCB microdata, it is not possible to add the quarterly interprovincial in-migrants and out-migrants estimates to get the annual estimates. It is however possible to add the quarterly net interprovincial migration estimates to get the annual estimates.

Levels of estimates

For information on the differences between preliminaryNote 2 and final estimates of total interprovincial migration, see section H. Interprovincial migration above.

Intercensal population estimates

Intercensal estimates – population estimates for reference dates between two censuses – are produced following each census. They reconcile previous postcensal estimates with the new census counts adjusted for the CNU.Note 1.

There are two main steps in the production of intercensal estimates:

The error of closure is defined as the difference between the postcensal population estimates on Census Day and the population enumerated in that census adjusted for CNU.Note 1

The error of closure is spread uniformly over the intercensal period of days within each month.

Quality of demographic data

The estimates contain certain inaccuracies stemming from two types of errors:

Census data

A. Coverage, response and imputation errors

The errors attributable to census data can be divided into two groups: response and processing errors, and coverage errors. The first group implies non-response error, misinterpretation by respondents, incorrect coding and non-response imputation. Errors in the second group primarily result from undercoverage and, to a lesser extent, overcoverage. It should be noted that both types of errors are intrinsic to any survey data.

The coverage errors occur when dwellings and/or individuals are missed, incorrectly included (except for the 2006, 2011 and 2016 censuses, where people incorrectly included were not considered in the Census Overcoverage Study) or counted more than once. Following each census, Statistics Canada undertakes coverage studies to measure these errors. The main studies are the Reverse Record Check Survey (RRC) and the Census Overcoverage Study (COS). Based on these studies, estimates of census undercoverage and overcoverage are produced. The Centre for Demography adjusts the population enumerated in the census by province and territory using these estimates.

When creating base populations, the Demographic Estimates Program (DEP) corrects the census populations only for coverage errors. This correction, which is based on the findings of coverage studies, is primarily subject to sampling errors, and to a lesser extent, processing errors. Statistical tests indicate that coverage adjustments improve the quality of census data. The DEP uses the estimates from coverage studies for the provinces and territories. However, given the size of the samples in these studies, estimates by age and sex are modelled. Furthermore, it is assumed that the coverage rates estimated for a province or territory apply to the regions within that geographic area. Prior to 1993Note 5, the DEP used census data that was unadjusted for coverage errors. Coverage studies had been done to measure undercoverage, but none measured overcoverage. Following the decision to integrate a correction for the coverage to the enumerated population in 1991, the DEP had to revise the population estimates for the period from 1971 to 1992. The correction is based on the findings of the coverage studies conducted during this period and on hypotheses regarding the ratio between the overcoverage and undercoverage levels based on the findings of subsequent coverage studies.

The corrections to the census data due to CNU improved, in general, the quality of the estimates by compensating for the differential undercoverage by age, sex and by province/territory across censuses.


Table D1
Estimated census net undercoverage, Canada, provinces and territories, 2001 to 2016 censuses
Table summary
This table displays the results of Estimated census net undercoverage. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Census population, Census net undercoverage, Incompletely enumerated Indian reserves, Adjusted population, Rate, A, B, C, D=A+B+C and (B+C)/D*100, calculated using number and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Geography Census population Census net undercoverage Incompletely enumerated Indian reserves Adjusted population Rate
A B C D=A+B+C (B+C)/D*100
number percent
2016Table D1 Note 1
Canada 35,151,728 849,727 27,790 36,029,245 2.44
Newfoundland and Labrador 519,716 9,774 0 529,490 1.85
Prince Edward Island 142,907 3,464 0 146,371 2.37
Nova Scotia 923,598 17,809 0 941,407 1.89
New Brunswick 747,101 15,735 0 762,836 2.06
Quebec 8,164,361 35,191 11,985 8,211,537 0.57
Ontario 13,448,494 381,542 11,640 13,841,676 2.84
Manitoba 1,278,365 31,895 0 1,310,260 2.43
Saskatchewan 1,098,352 34,844 0 1,133,196 3.07
Alberta 4,067,175 115,968 4,043 4,187,186 2.87
British Columbia 4,648,055 197,267 122 4,845,444 4.07
Yukon 35,874 2,370 0 38,244 6.20
Northwest Territories 41,786 2,939 0 44,725 6.57
Nunavut 35,944 929 0 36,873 2.52
2011Table D1 Note 1
Canada 33,476,688 759,125 37,392 34,273,205 2.32
Newfoundland and Labrador 514,536 10,192 0 524,728 1.94
Prince Edward Island 140,204 3,386 0 143,590 2.36
Nova Scotia 921,727 21,911 0 943,638 2.32
New Brunswick 751,171 3,930 0 755,101 0.52
Quebec 7,903,001 73,240 16,882 7,993,123 1.13
Ontario 12,851,821 369,874 14,926 13,236,621 2.91
Manitoba 1,208,268 21,698 608 1,230,574 1.81
Saskatchewan 1,033,381 29,580 768 1,063,729 2.85
Alberta 3,645,257 128,584 4,094 3,777,935 3.51
British Columbia 4,400,057 91,280 114 4,491,451 2.03
Yukon 33,897 1,356 0 35,253 3.85
Northwest Territories 41,462 1,977 0 43,439 4.55
Nunavut 31,906 2,117 0 34,023 6.22
2006Table D1 Note 1
Canada 31,612,897 868,658 40,115 32,521,670 2.79
Newfoundland and Labrador 505,469 5,046 0 510,515 0.99
Prince Edward Island 135,851 1,903 0 137,754 1.38
Nova Scotia 913,462 24,558 0 938,020 2.62
New Brunswick 729,997 16,059 0 746,056 2.15
Quebec 7,546,131 60,751 16,600 7,623,482 1.01
Ontario 12,160,282 465,824 15,391 12,641,497 3.81
Manitoba 1,148,401 34,330 0 1,182,731 2.90
Saskatchewan 968,157 22,594 739 991,490 2.35
Alberta 3,290,350 111,353 7,272 3,408,975 3.48
British Columbia 4,113,487 121,551 113 4,235,151 2.87
Yukon 30,372 1,805 0 32,177 5.61
Northwest Territories 41,464 1,620 0 43,084 3.76
Nunavut 29,474 1,264 0 30,738 4.11
2001Table D1 Note 1
Canada 30,007,094 924,430 34,539 30,966,063 3.10
Newfoundland and Labrador 512,930 9,401 0 522,331 1.80
Prince Edward Island 135,294 1,325 0 136,619 0.97
Nova Scotia 908,007 24,521 0 932,528 2.63
New Brunswick 729,498 20,095 0 749,593 2.68
Quebec 7,237,479 140,232 12,648 7,390,359 2.07
Ontario 11,410,046 436,349 15,960 11,862,355 3.81
Manitoba 1,119,583 30,903 110 1,150,596 2.70
Saskatchewan 978,933 21,231 581 1,000,745 2.18
Alberta 2,974,807 69,857 4,977 3,049,641 2.45
British Columbia 3,907,738 164,542 263 4,072,543 4.05
Yukon 28,674 1,423 0 30,097 4.73
Northwest Territories 37,360 3,295 0 40,655 8.10
Nunavut 26,745 1,256 0 28,001 4.49

The adjustment also incorporates the results of a study on the estimates of the number of people living on incompletely enumerated Indian reserves to complete the corrections for coverage errors in the census. The results of the coverage studies contain mainly sampling errors.

These adjustments have a direct impact on:

For further information regarding the main coverage studies, please see the following document on Statistics Canada’s web site: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 and 2016 Census Technical Report on Coverage.

Components

Errors due to estimation methodologies and data sources other than the census can also be significant.

A. Births and deaths

Since the law requires the recording of vital statistics, the final estimates for births and deaths data meet very high standards. Nevertheless, since preliminaryNote 2 estimates are derived, they can be slightly different from final estimates.

B. Immigration and non-permanent residents

With respect to immigrants and non-permanent residents, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) administers special data files on both of these components. Since immigration is controlled by law, data on immigrants and NPRs are compiled upon arrival in Canada. These data represent only “legal” immigration and exclude illegal immigrants. Thus, for the “legal” part of international movement into Canada, the data are considered to be of high quality. However, some biases such as the difference between the stated province of intended residence at the time of arrival and the actual province of residence, may persist. Finally, since information provided by the Visitor Data System (VDS) from IRCC is not complete (age and sex of dependents, province of residence for certain groups of permit holders), estimates of NPRs are more prone to error than data on immigrants.

C. Emigration, returning emigration and net temporary emigration

Of all the demographic components that are used by the DEP, the emigration, returning emigration and net temporary emigration are the most difficult to estimate with precision. Canada does not have a complete border registration system. While immigration and non-permanent residents (NPRs) are well documented by the federal government, Statistics Canada has always used indirect techniques for the estimation of the number of persons leaving the country. For this reason, available statistics regarding these three components have historically been of a lower quality than other components.

Estimates of the number of emigrants and returning emigrants are both derived using Canada child benefit (CCB) data provided by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Estimates must be adjusted to take into account the incomplete coverage of the program and to derive the emigration and returning emigration of adults.

These adjustments and the delay in obtaining the data are the two main sources of errors. As current information on the number of persons living temporarily abroad does not exist, estimates are based on the Reverse Record Check (RRC) and the census. Estimates for the intercensal period are distributed equally among the five years. Moreover, assumptions were made to allow for the distribution of national estimates by province and territory and of annual estimates to a quarterly level. Assumptions must also be made to establish the variation for the postcensal period. Any geographical or quarterly variation may introduce error in the estimation of these components.

D. Interprovincial migration

Since July 1993, preliminaryNote 2 interprovincial migration estimates have been based on Canada child benefit (CCB) files. As this program covers only children, various adjustments must be done in order to derive the migration of adults. Consequently, preliminaryNote 2 CCB based estimates are subject to larger error than final estimates derived from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) tax files.

Quality assessment

In order to assess the quality of our estimates, two evaluation measures are used: precocity errors and errors of closure.

A. Precocity error

The quality of preliminary estimates of components is analyzed using precocity errors. Precocity error is defined as the difference between preliminary and final estimate of a particular component in terms of its relative proportion of the total population, the most up-to-date postcensal population estimate. It can be calculated for both population and component estimates.

The precocity error allows for useful comparisons between components, as well as between provinces and territories of different population size. Note that when compared to the total population for an area, the differences between preliminary and final estimates of the components are quite small. There are, however, differences in the amount of impact on the population estimates between components and between provinces and territories.

Generally speaking, net interprovincial migration yields the greatest precocity errors. This is the result of the use of different data sources for preliminary and final estimates. In most years and for most provinces/territories, births, deaths and immigration estimates yield the smallest precocity errors. For immigration estimates, this reflects the completeness of the data source and the availability of data for the more timely preliminary estimates. In the case of births and deaths, small precocity errors can be explained by the use of a different method (method of rates) for preliminary estimates.

According to the analysis of the most recent precocity errors and assuming that the quality of the base data remains constant, the present postcensal estimates should have an acceptable degree of reliability.

For more information on annual precocity error analysis, see publication 91-215-XWE 2021001 (Quality of demographic data section).


Table D2
Quarterly precocity errors for components, Canada, provinces and territories
Table summary
This table displays the results of Quarterly precocity errors for components. The information is grouped by Year/Component (appearing as row headers), Canada, N.L., P.E.I., N.S., N.B., Que., Ont., Man., Sask., Alta., B.C., Y.T., N.W.T. and Nvt., calculated using per thousand units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Year/Component Canada N.L. P.E.I. N.S. N.B. Que. Ont. Man. Sask. Alta. B.C. Y.T. N.W.T. Nvt.
per thousand
Births
2019Q01 0.09 0.05 0.30 0.18 0.03 0.00 0.12 0.15 0.28 0.19 -0.01 0.44 0.02 -0.89
2019Q02 0.09 0.19 0.27 0.17 0.09 0.01 0.12 0.13 0.26 0.14 -0.01 0.17 -0.16 -0.16
2019Q03 0.07 -0.05 -0.08 0.11 0.06 -0.02 0.09 0.18 0.27 0.16 -0.01 -0.41 0.24 0.91
2019Q04 0.09 0.08 0.11 0.11 0.20 -0.01 0.13 0.24 0.12 0.13 -0.01 0.36 -0.33 1.32
Deaths
2019Q01 0.00 0.03 0.03 -0.18 -0.02 -0.03 0.00 0.08 0.11 0.09 -0.01 -0.02 0.31 0.05
2019Q02 0.01 0.08 -0.08 0.07 0.01 -0.01 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.05 -0.02 -0.22 -0.02 -0.39
2019Q03 0.02 -0.08 -0.11 0.13 -0.01 -0.02 0.06 -0.01 -0.05 0.06 -0.02 -0.15 -0.07 -0.10
2019Q04 0.03 0.03 -0.02 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.09 -0.01 -0.17 0.20 -0.08
Immigration
2020Q01 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.00 0.06 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00
2020Q02 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
2020Q03 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2020Q04 0.00 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.01 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00
Emigration
2018Q03 0.23 0.09 0.06 0.27 0.12 0.17 0.30 0.16 0.12 0.22 0.26 0.20 -0.02 0.03
2018Q04 0.14 0.02 -0.04 0.10 0.02 0.09 0.17 0.11 0.07 0.15 0.21 0.12 0.00 0.00
2019Q01 0.13 0.01 0.03 0.09 0.04 0.08 0.15 0.13 0.09 0.14 0.18 0.05 -0.09 0.03
2019Q02 0.07 0.06 0.04 0.09 0.02 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.07 0.13 0.05 0.07 0.08
Returning emigration
2018Q03 0.00 0.00 -0.20 0.06 0.00 0.00 -0.02 0.00 -0.03 0.02 0.05 -0.15 -0.18 0.00
2018Q04 0.00 0.00 -0.07 0.02 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 0.01 0.02 -0.07 -0.07 0.00
2019Q01 0.03 0.01 -0.05 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.00 0.04 0.05 -0.07 -0.07 0.00
2019Q02 0.03 0.03 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.04 0.00 -0.02 0.10
Net temporary emigration
2018Q03 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00
2018Q04 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2019Q01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
2019Q02 0.00 0.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.02 0.00 -0.03
Net non-permanent residents
2018Q03 0.08 0.14 -0.38 0.20 0.15 -0.17 0.32 0.25 0.16 0.06 -0.24 -0.22 -0.13 -0.03
2018Q04 0.03 0.09 0.15 0.04 0.05 -0.06 0.13 0.24 0.08 0.01 -0.16 0.05 0.00 -0.03
2019Q01 0.03 0.05 -0.12 0.03 0.04 0.01 0.10 0.14 0.05 -0.04 -0.14 -0.37 0.07 0.10
2019Q02 0.03 0.04 -0.56 -0.01 0.08 0.03 0.15 0.18 0.04 -0.08 -0.26 -0.71 -0.55 -0.05
In-migrants
2019Q03 -0.04 -0.02 -1.64 -0.59 -0.30 0.04 -0.14 -0.05 0.11 0.43 -0.16 -1.89 -0.55 1.94
2019Q04 -0.01 -0.01 -1.85 -0.26 -0.15 0.02 -0.07 -0.03 0.11 0.30 -0.10 -0.34 -0.20 3.81
2020Q01 -0.01 0.08 -2.17 -0.46 -0.25 0.03 -0.09 -0.06 0.18 0.43 -0.16 -1.46 0.04 9.50
2020Q02 -0.06 0.21 -2.35 -0.36 -0.09 0.01 -0.11 -0.11 0.14 0.23 -0.21 -2.55 0.31 5.43
Out-migrants
2019Q03 -0.04 -0.01 1.07 0.23 0.21 -0.14 -0.04 0.05 0.22 -0.08 -0.09 0.10 0.38 1.22
2019Q04 -0.01 0.03 0.86 0.12 0.19 -0.08 -0.02 0.04 0.16 -0.05 -0.02 -0.38 0.66 1.86
2020Q01 -0.01 0.11 0.63 0.26 0.21 -0.09 -0.03 0.08 0.26 -0.07 -0.03 1.20 0.38 2.38
2020Q02 -0.06 -0.17 0.85 0.09 0.19 -0.11 -0.06 0.00 0.08 -0.07 -0.10 0.14 0.95 3.48
Net interprovincial migration
2019Q03 Note ...: not applicable -0.02 -2.71 -0.82 -0.51 0.18 -0.10 -0.10 -0.11 0.51 -0.07 -1.98 -0.93 0.73
2019Q04 Note ...: not applicable -0.04 -2.70 -0.38 -0.35 0.09 -0.05 -0.07 -0.04 0.35 -0.08 0.05 -0.86 1.94
2020Q01 Note ...: not applicable -0.03 -2.80 -0.72 -0.46 0.11 -0.06 -0.15 -0.08 0.50 -0.12 -2.66 -0.33 7.13
2020Q02 Note ...: not applicable 0.38 -3.20 -0.45 -0.29 0.12 -0.04 -0.12 0.06 0.30 -0.11 -2.69 -0.64 1.96

B. Error of closure

The error of closure measures the accuracy of the final postcensal estimates. It is defined as the difference between the final postcensal population estimates on Census Day and the enumerated population of the most recent census adjusted for census net undercoverage (CNUNote 1). A positive error of closure means that the postcensal population estimates have overestimated the population.

The error of closure comes from three sources: errors primarily due to sampling when measuring the starting (2011) and end of period (2016) censuses coverage and errors related to the components of population growth over the intercensal period. For each five-year intercensal period, the error of closure can only be calculated following the release of census data and estimates of CNU.Note 1 The error of closure can be calculated for the total population of each province and territory as well as by age and sex. For the moment, the error is only available for total population by province and territory.

Table D3 shows postcensal population estimates on May 10, 2016 and census counts adjusted for CNUNote 1 and the errors of closure for Canada, provinces and territories from 2001 to 2016.

For Canada as a whole, the error of closure was estimated at 110,310 or 0.31% in 2016. This is a decrease over the error for 2011 (0.42%).

The population estimates overestimated the population of eight provinces, one territory and Canada as a whole. Five provinces posted errors of closure greater than 1% or less than -1%. Of these jurisdictions, only British Columbia’s estimated population differed from the adjusted census population by more than 2% (-2.07%). In 2011, four provinces and two territories posted errors of closure greater than 1% or less than -1%.

By considering the variance in CNU, it is possible to identify errors of closure that are statistically significant. Table D3 shows the results of this analysis.

The error of closure is statistically significant for Canada and seven provinces. This means that the population estimates significantly overestimated or underestimated the adjusted census population in these jurisdictions. As noted above, these results are due to both the sampling for census coverage studies and errors in the components of population growth over the intercensal period. Among these components, interprovincial migration and emigration are mostly associated with large errors of closure.


Table D3
Error of closure of the population estimates, Canada, provinces and territories, 2001 to 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Error of closure of the population estimates. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Postcensal estimate on Census Day, Census adjusted for CNU, Error of closure, CNU standard error, t value, A, B, C=A-B, D=C/B*100, E and F=C/E, calculated using number and % units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Geography Postcensal estimate on Census Day Census adjusted for CNUTable D3 Note 1 Error of closure CNU standard errorTable D3 Note 2 t valueTable D3 Note 3
A B C=A-B D=C/B*100 E F=C/E
number % number
2016
Canada 36,139,555 36,029,245 110,310 0.31 43,844 2.52
Newfoundland and Labrador 530,465 529,490 975 0.18 2,015 0.48
Prince Edward Island 149,116 146,371 2,745 1.88 870 3.16
Nova Scotia 948,080 941,407 6,673 0.71 3,042 2.19
New Brunswick 756,736 762,836 -6,100 -0.80 2,777 -2.20
Quebec 8,297,802 8,211,537 86,265 1.05 20,613 4.18
Ontario 13,902,359 13,841,676 60,683 0.44 33,316 1.82
Manitoba 1,313,904 1,310,260 3,644 0.28 4,829 0.75
Saskatchewan 1,145,156 1,133,196 11,960 1.06 4,651 2.57
Alberta 4,231,285 4,187,186 44,099 1.05 13,530 3.26
British Columbia 4,745,041 4,845,444 -100,403 -2.07 16,561 -6.06
Yukon 37,927 38,244 -317 -0.83 191 -1.66
Northwest Territories 44,667 44,725 -58 -0.13 257 -0.23
Nunavut 37,017 36,873 144 0.39 229 0.63
2011
Canada 34,417,759 34,273,205 144,554 0.42 57,546 2.51
Newfoundland and Labrador 513,622 524,728 -11,106 -2.12 2,912 -3.81
Prince Edward Island 145,759 143,590 2,169 1.51 923 2.35
Nova Scotia 948,457 943,638 4,819 0.51 5,346 0.90
New Brunswick 756,547 755,101 1,446 0.19 3,335 0.43
Quebec 7,968,651 7,993,123 -24,472 -0.31 23,660 -1.03
Ontario 13,345,467 13,236,621 108,846 0.82 44,121 2.47
Manitoba 1,251,999 1,230,574 21,425 1.74 6,104 3.51
Saskatchewan 1,055,858 1,063,729 -7,871 -0.74 6,306 -1.25
Alberta 3,774,557 3,777,935 -3,378 -0.09 18,046 -0.19
British Columbia 4,543,807 4,491,451 52,356 1.17 19,494 2.69
Yukon 35,356 35,253 103 0.29 303 0.34
Northwest Territories 44,139 43,439 700 1.61 323 2.17
Nunavut 33,540 34,023 -483 -1.42 608 -0.79
2006
Canada 32,553,799 32,521,670 32,129 0.10 53,926 0.60
Newfoundland and Labrador 508,874 510,515 -1,641 -0.32 2,710 -0.61
Prince Edward Island 137,746 137,754 -8 -0.01 701 -0.01
Nova Scotia 933,692 938,020 -4,328 -0.46 4,885 -0.89
New Brunswick 748,737 746,056 2,681 0.36 3,105 0.86
Quebec 7,644,701 7,623,482 21,219 0.28 24,077 0.88
Ontario 12,657,808 12,641,497 16,311 0.13 41,363 0.39
Manitoba 1,176,744 1,182,731 -5,987 -0.51 6,469 -0.93
Saskatchewan 987,706 991,490 -3,784 -0.38 4,805 -0.79
Alberta 3,357,637 3,408,975 -51,338 -1.51 16,091 -3.19
British Columbia 4,296,518 4,235,151 61,367 1.45 16,591 3.70
Yukon 31,146 32,177 -1,031 -3.20 194 -5.31
Northwest Territories 42,160 43,084 -924 -2.14 236 -3.92
Nunavut 30,330 30,738 -408 -1.33 176 -2.32
2001
Canada 31,016,011 30,966,063 49,948 0.16 44,749 1.12
Newfoundland and Labrador 533,712 522,331 11,381 2.18 1,782 6.39
Prince Edward Island 138,102 136,619 1,483 1.09 775 1.91
Nova Scotia 941,533 932,528 9,005 0.97 4,170 2.16
New Brunswick 754,180 749,593 4,587 0.61 3,555 1.29
Quebec 7,390,137 7,390,359 -222 0.00 21,033 -0.01
Ontario 11,873,643 11,862,355 11,288 0.10 33,472 0.34
Manitoba 1,149,561 1,150,596 -1,035 -0.09 5,423 -0.19
Saskatchewan 1,016,762 1,000,745 16,017 1.60 4,333 3.70
Alberta 3,051,245 3,049,641 1,604 0.05 11,308 0.14
British Columbia 4,068,196 4,072,543 -4,347 -0.11 15,598 -0.28
Yukon 29,737 30,097 -360 -1.20 372 -0.97
Northwest Territories 41,152 40,655 497 1.22 362 1.37
Nunavut 28,051 28,001 50 0.18 411 0.12

Explanatory notes for the tables


Table D4
Quarterly population estimates and factors of demographic growth
Table summary
This table displays the results of Quarterly population estimates and factors of demographic growth. The information is grouped by Quarter (appearing as row headers), Population at beginning period, Natural increase, Net interprovincial migration, Net international migration, Total net migration and Total growth (appearing as column headers).
Quarter Population at beginning period Natural increase Net interprovincial migration Net international migration Total net migration Total growth
Q3 2016 PD D D D D D
Q4 2016 PD D D D D D
Q1 2017 PD D D D D D
Q2 2017 PD D D D D D
Q3 2017 PD D D D D D
Q4 2017 PD D D D D D
Q1 2018 PD D D D D D
Q2 2018 PD D D D D D
Q3 2018 PD D D D D D
Q4 2018 PD D D D D D
Q1 2019 PD D D D D D
Q2 2019 PD D D D D D
Q3 2019 PD D D R R R
Q4 2019 PR D D R R R
Q1 2020 PR R D R R R
Q2 2020 PR R D R R R
Q3 2020 PR R R R R R
Q4 2020 PR R R R R R
Q1 2021 PR R R R R R
Q2 2021 PR P P P P P
Q3 2021 PP Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable Note ...: not applicable
Modified sinceTable D4 Note 1 Q1 2017 Q1 2017 Q3 2019 Q3 2018 Q3 2018 Q1 2017

Table D5
Quarterly estimates of components of demographic growth
Table summary
This table displays the results of Quarterly estimates of components of demographic growth. The information is grouped by Quarter (appearing as row headers), Births, Deaths, In-migrants, Out-migrants, Immigrants, Emigrants, Returning emigrants, Net temporary emigrants and Net non-permanent residents (appearing as column headers).
Quarter Births Deaths In-migrants Out-migrants Immigrants Emigrants Returning emigrants Net temporary emigrants Net non-permanent residents
Q3 2016 D D D D D D D D D
Q4 2016 D D D D D D D D D
Q1 2017 D D D D D D D D D
Q2 2017 D D D D D D D D D
Q3 2017 D D D D D D D D D
Q4 2017 D D D D D D D D D
Q1 2018 D D D D D D D D D
Q2 2018 D D D D D D D D D
Q3 2018 D D D D D D D D D
Q4 2018 D D D D D D D D D
Q1 2019 D D D D D D D D D
Q2 2019 D D D D D D D D D
Q3 2019 D D D D D R R R R
Q4 2019 D D D D D R R R R
Q1 2020 R R D D D R R R R
Q2 2020 R R D D D R R R R
Q3 2020 R R R R D R R R R
Q4 2020 R R R R D R R R R
Q1 2021 R R R R R R R R R
Q2 2021 P P P P P P P P P
Modified sinceTable D5 Note 1 Q1 2017 Q1 2017 Q3 2019 Q3 2019 Q1 2020 Q3 2018 Q3 2018 Q3 2018 Q3 2018

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