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2006 Aboriginal Population Profile

About the census

The Census of Population collects data on every person in Canada based on where he/she lives on a set date or at a specific point in time. The 2006 Census was conducted on May 16, 2006. The basic unit of measurement is the dwelling. In other words, the census begins by locating all places of residence in Canada. For each occupied private dwelling, there is one household which consists of the sum of one or more persons residing in a dwelling.

The 2006 Census population counts for a particular area represent the number of Canadians whose usual place of residence is in that area, regardless of where they happened to be on Census Day. Also included are any Canadians staying in a dwelling in that area on Census Day and having no usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada, as well as those considered non-permanent residents.

In the 2006 Census, 80% of the population received a short questionnaire containing eight questions and 20% of the population were given the 61-question long form. The information collected from individuals and their households are the characteristics that describe any given population group. The short form collects primarily demographic characteristics such as age, sex and marital status. The long form collects detailed information reflecting 20% or a sample of the Canadian population. The characteristics collected for this sample include education, income, work activity, household, family and dwelling characteristics.

Incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements

For the 2006 Census, on some Indian reserves and Indian settlements, enumeration was not permitted, or was interrupted before it could be completed. Moreover, for other Indian reserves and Indian settlements, the quality of the collected data was considered inadequate. These geographic areas (a total of 22) are called incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements. Data for 2006 are therefore not available for the incompletely enumerated reserves and settlements and are not included in this product.

Data are not available due to incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements for either the 2001 Census, the 2006 Census or for both the 2001 and 2006 Censuses.

View the list of incompletely enumerated Indian reserves and Indian settlements for more details.

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