Canada's Changing Ethno-Cultural Portrait: Findings from the 2001 Census

Jane Badets, Statistics Canada
Tina W.L. Chui, Statistics Canada

In the past 50 years, the origins of immigrants to Canada have changed considerably, reflecting increasing numbers of immigrants from other parts of the world than Europe. These changing immigration patterns have shaped the ethno-cultural composition of Canada, making it a culturally diverse nation. Results on immigration, ethnicity and visible minority status (race) will be released in January 2003. This study will use this most recent census information to examine the ethno-cultural portrait of Canada in 2001. The paper will investigate the impact of changing immigration patterns on the ethnic make-up of Canada. Generational status (based on birthplace of respondent abd of parents information) will be used to examine the reporting of ethnicity and race. Detailed cross-sectional census data will be used for the analysis.