What is it?
Visible minority is a census population group that follows the definition in the federal Employment Equity Act: people, other than Indigenous peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.
The main groups are South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese.
Good to know
- In its 2021 Census analysis products, Statistics Canada began using “racialized population” instead of this term. The table names still say visible minority.
- It is a different question from ethnic or cultural origin (a person’s ancestors). So the Korean origin number and the Korean visible minority number can differ a little.
- Under the legal definition, Indigenous people are not counted as a visible minority.
How to read neighbourhood numbers
- Our neighbourhood guides show visible minority group numbers as 2021 Census sample estimates, the same way for every neighbourhood.
- These numbers are only facts about who lives there. We do not use them to call an area good or bad, or to tell anyone where to buy.
What the law and official sources say
Quotes are copied word for word. The "In plain words" lines are our explanation, not an official translation.
Visible minority refers to whether a person is a visible minority or not, as defined by the Employment Equity Act. The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour." The visible minority population consists mainly of the following groups: South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Arab, Latin American, Southeast Asian, West Asian, Korean and Japanese.In plain wordsIn plain words: the Employment Equity Act defines a visible minority as a person, other than Indigenous people, who is not white. Korean is one of the main groups.
Source: www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810033701 · checked Nov 5, 2026
In 2021 Census analytical and communications products, the term "visible minority" has been replaced by the terms "racialized population" or "racialized groups", reflecting the increased use of these terms in the public sphere.In plain wordsIn plain words: in 2021 Census analysis, Statistics Canada uses “racialized population” or “racialized groups” instead.
Source: www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810033701 · checked Nov 5, 2026
Common questions
Is the Korean origin number the same as the Korean visible minority number?
Not always, because they are different questions. People can give several origins, while visible minority is a group category set by law.
Why do neighbourhood guides show these numbers?
They are official population data in the City of Toronto Neighbourhood Profiles. We show the same items the same way for every neighbourhood and never say an area suits a group.
Guides that use this term
Sources checked
- Statistics Canada, Table 98-10-0337-01, Visible minority by ethnic or cultural origin (2021 Census), footnotes · checked Nov 5, 2026
- City of Toronto Open Data, Neighbourhood Profiles · checked Nov 5, 2026