Literal question
While most people in Canada view themselves as Canadians, information on their ancestral origins has been collected since the 1901 Census to capture the changing composition of Canada's diverse population. Therefore, this question refers to the origins of the person's ancestors.
17. To which ethnic or cultural group(s) did this person's ancestors belong?
For example, Canadian, French, English, Chinese, Italian, German, Scottish, Irish, Cree, Micmac, Métis, Inuit (Eskimo), East Indian, Ukrainian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Filipino, Jewish, Greek, Jamaican, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Chilean, Somali, etc.
Specify as many groups as applicable [below]
________
Interviewer instructions
Question 18 -- Aboriginal self-reporting
Answer this question regardless of whether or not this person is an Aboriginal person of North America.
Aboriginal people are usually those with ancestors who resided in North America prior to European contact and who identify with one of the three Aboriginal groups listed on the questionnaire.
Persons who consider themselves to be East Indian or Asian Indian, or who have ethnic roots on the subcontinent of India, would normally respond No to this question.
Individuals who refer to themselves as Métis in the context of mixed ancestry but who do not have North American Aboriginal ancestry--for example, those from Africa, the Caribbean and South America--would normally respond No.
