Introduction to the population universe

The population universe includes variables that provide information about individuals, covering demographic characteristics and language. See Figure 16 for a list of these variables.

The population universe (target population) of the 2011 Census includes the following groups:

• Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants (permanent residents) with a usual place of residence in Canada.
  
  
• Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants (permanent residents) who are abroad either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission.
  
  
• Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants (permanent residents) at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry or Canadian government vessels.
  
  
• Persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and family members living with them.
  
  
• Persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold study permits and family members living with them.
  
  
• Persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold work permits and family members living with them.

For census purposes, these last three groups of people are referred to as 'non-permanent residents.' They have been included since 1991. Foreign residents are excluded from the population universe. Foreign residents are persons who belong to the following groups:

• Government representatives of another country attached to the embassy, high commission or other diplomatic body of that country in Canada, and members of their families living with them.
  
  
• Members of the Armed Forces of another country who are stationed in Canada, and family members living with them.
  
  
• Residents of another country visiting Canada temporarily (for example, a foreign visitor on vacation or on business, with or without a visitor's permit).