2006 Census Topic-based tabulations

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Topic-based tabulation: Selected Language Characteristics (165), Aboriginal Ancestry (10), Age Groups (7), Sex (3) and Area of Residence (6) for the Population of Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data

About this tabulation

General information

Catalogue number :97-558-XCB2006019
Release date :April 2, 2008
Topic :Aboriginal peoples
Data dimensions :

Note

Note: Data quality - Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux)

When comparing the census results to those of the 2001 Census, it appears that there is some overestimation of persons reporting Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in British Columbia and, as a result, also at the Canada level. Although it affects a relatively small population, it is best to apply caution when analysing the census data for Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) in these geographies.

For more information on factors that may explain such variances in census data, such as response errors and processing errors, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, Appendix B Data quality, sampling and weighting, confidentiality and random rounding.

Note: Data on knowledge of official languages

According to studies on data certification, the 2006 Census statistics on knowledge of official languages could underestimate the category 'English and French' and overestimate the category 'French only,' particularly for the francophone population, but also for the whole population in general. More information on the subject will be available in the Languages Reference Guide, to be published in 2008.

Note: Institutional residents

People in seniors' residences in the 2006 Census are classified as 'not living in an institution'. This is a change from the 2001 Census where they were classified as institutional residents, specifically, 'living in an institution, resident under care or custody'.

Note: Non-permanent residents and the census universe

In the 2006 Census, non-permanent residents are defined as people from another country who, at the time of the census, held a Work or Study Permit, or who were refugee claimants, as well as family members living in Canada with them. In the 1991, 1996 and 2001 censuses, non-permanent residents also included persons who held a Minister's permit; this was discontinued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada prior to the 2006 Census.

From 1991 on, the Census of Population has enumerated both permanent and non-permanent residents of Canada. Prior to 1991, only permanent residents of Canada were included in the census. (The only exception to this occurred in 1941.) Non-permanent residents were considered foreign residents and were not enumerated.

Total population counts, as well as counts for all variables, are affected by this change in the census universe. Users should be especially careful when comparing data from 1991, 1996, 2001 or 2006 with data from previous censuses in geographic areas where there is a concentration of non-permanent residents.

Today in Canada, non-permanent residents make up a significant segment of the population, especially in several census metropolitan areas. Their presence can affect the demand for such government services as health care, schooling, employment programs and language training. The inclusion of non-permanent residents in the census facilitates comparisons with provincial and territorial statistics (marriages, divorces, births and deaths) which include this population. In addition, this inclusion of non-permanent residents brings Canadian practice closer to the United Nations (UN) recommendation that long-term residents (persons living in a country for one year or longer) be enumerated in the census.

Although every attempt has been made to enumerate non-permanent residents, factors such as language difficulties, the reluctance to complete a government form or to understand the need to participate may have affected the enumeration of this population.

For additional information, please refer to the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

For counts of the non-permanent resident population in 1991, 2001 and 2006, please refer to the 2006 Census table 97-557-XCB2006006.


Note: Population universe

The population universe of the 2006 Census includes the following groups:
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants with a usual place of residence in Canada;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants who are abroad, either on a military base or attached to a diplomatic mission;
- Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization) and landed immigrants at sea or in port aboard merchant vessels under Canadian registry;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who are claiming refugee status and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Study Permits and members of their families living with them;
- persons with a usual place of residence in Canada who hold Work Permits and members of their families living with them.

For census purposes, the last three groups in this list are referred to as 'non-permanent residents'. For further information, refer to the variable Immigration: Non-permanent resident found in the 2006 Census Dictionary, catalogue number 92-566-XWE or 92-566-XPE.

Data table

Select data categories for this table


This table details selected language characteristics , aboriginal ancestry , age groups , sex and area of residence for the population in CanadaFootnote 2
Selected language characteristics (165) Aboriginal ancestry (10)
Total - Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry population Total Aboriginal ancestry populationFootnote 3 North American Indian single ancestry North American Indian and non-Aboriginal ancestries Métis single ancestry Métis and non-Aboriginal ancestries Inuit single ancestry Inuit and non-Aboriginal ancestries Other Aboriginal multiple ancestriesFootnote 4 Non-Aboriginal ancestry population
Total population by detailed mother tongueFootnote 5 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,355 77,295 285,750 40,980 18,615 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 6 30,848,270 1,656,185 502,985 685,140 76,580 283,340 40,535 18,370 49,230 29,192,080
English 17,882,775 1,174,145 302,140 515,215 59,515 233,800 10,800 14,055 38,610 16,708,630
French 6,817,650 267,950 42,900 155,270 13,985 47,575 540 1,385 6,285 6,549,705
Non-official languages 6,147,840 214,095 157,940 14,655 3,080 1,970 29,190 2,925 4,335 5,933,745
Aboriginal languages 210,075 206,235 156,340 10,780 2,525 505 29,140 2,825 4,125 3,840
Algonquian languages 144,655 142,145 126,615 8,915 2,300 455 295 15 3,550 2,510
Algonquin 1,920 1,900 1,775 105 0 0 15 0 0 15
Atikamekw 5,250 5,165 4,865 250 0 0 55 0 0 80
Blackfoot 3,085 3,055 2,960 85 0 0 10 0 0 30
Cree 78,855 77,480 66,780 5,685 1,675 225 60 10 3,035 1,380
Malecite 535 525 465 55 0 0 10 0 0 10
Mi'kmaq 7,365 7,310 6,780 505 10 0 10 0 0 55
Montagnais-Naskapi 10,970 10,710 9,935 570 10 0 110 0 75 260
Ojibway 24,190 23,655 21,525 1,450 315 130 10 0 235 535
Oji-Cree 11,690 11,610 11,390 125 25 10 30 0 25 80
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 795 745 135 90 260 85 0 0 165 50
Athapaskan languages 19,015 18,585 17,195 885 175 35 80 0 215 430
Carrier 1,560 1,455 1,345 95 15 0 0 0 0 100
Chilcotin 1,070 1,025 955 70 0 0 0 0 0 45
Chipewyan 525 500 420 50 10 10 0 0 10 25
Dene 9,750 9,655 9,030 390 110 15 0 0 100 90
Dogrib 2,015 1,970 1,845 50 10 0 20 0 45 45
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 355 355 310 30 0 0 0 0 15 0
North Slave (Hare) 1,060 1,055 965 30 10 0 40 0 10 10
South Slave 1,605 1,585 1,415 100 25 10 0 0 20 20
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 1,065 980 895 70 0 0 10 0 0 80
Haida 115 105 90 10 10 0 0 0 0 10
Iroquoian languages 410 365 275 90 0 0 0 0 0 45
Mohawk 290 245 170 80 0 0 0 0 0 45
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 115 120 115 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutenai 155 155 140 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 3,250 3,100 2,835 260 0 0 0 0 10 145
Shuswap 935 915 820 85 0 0 0 0 0 20
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 505 490 465 25 0 0 0 0 0 10
Salish languages, n.i.e. 1,810 1,695 1,550 150 0 0 0 0 0 115
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 5,590 5,515 5,340 150 0 0 0 0 25 70
Tlingit 85 80 75 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 2,170 2,055 1,910 130 15 0 0 0 0 115
Gitksan 1,175 1,105 1,050 60 0 0 0 0 0 70
Nisga'a 675 645 590 50 0 0 0 0 0 30
Tsimshian 315 300 270 20 10 0 0 0 0 15
Wakashan languages 1,090 1,045 970 75 0 0 0 0 0 40
Nootka 370 365 335 30 0 0 0 0 0 10
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 715 680 640 40 0 0 0 0 0 35
Inuktitut 32,380 32,015 100 35 0 0 28,745 2,805 315 370
Inuinnaqtun 365 365 10 0 0 0 340 20 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 32,010 31,645 100 35 0 0 28,410 2,785 315 370
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 1,165 1,055 800 205 20 10 10 0 10 110
Other single responses 5,937,760 7,860 1,595 3,875 555 1,465 55 100 210 5,929,900
Total multiple responsesFootnote 7 392,760 22,045 9,165 8,215 715 2,410 440 240 860 370,710
English and Aboriginal languageFootnote 8 11,035 10,655 7,825 1,650 205 95 370 120 395 380
French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 9 855 815 480 145 50 20 35 20 55 40
English, French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 10 240 240 80 90 20 0 0 10 25 0
Other multiple responses 380,625 10,345 775 6,335 445 2,285 30 90 390 370,280
Total population by detailed language spoken most often at homeFootnote 11 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,360 77,295 285,750 40,975 18,615 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 12 30,665,025 1,660,470 502,935 688,140 76,750 284,185 40,470 18,450 49,540 29,004,555
English 20,584,775 1,296,045 361,670 543,540 64,005 252,245 16,585 15,185 42,815 19,288,725
French 6,608,125 232,525 43,790 139,345 11,380 31,210 690 1,280 4,825 6,375,595
Non-official languages 3,472,130 131,895 97,475 5,250 1,355 730 23,200 1,985 1,900 3,340,235
Aboriginal languages 129,340 128,055 96,555 3,510 980 90 23,150 1,945 1,820 1,290
Algonquian languages 87,520 86,820 81,045 3,095 865 75 205 15 1,520 695
Algonquin 385 385 365 10 0 0 0 0 10 10
Atikamekw 4,750 4,740 4,505 210 0 0 25 0 0 10
Blackfoot 1,575 1,575 1,550 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cree 47,190 46,765 42,850 1,880 650 40 45 15 1,290 425
Malecite 135 135 130 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mi'kmaq 3,985 3,960 3,765 190 0 0 0 0 0 25
Montagnais-Naskapi 9,725 9,650 8,975 500 0 0 95 0 70 75
Ojibway 11,115 10,985 10,530 225 120 25 0 0 85 130
Oji-Cree 8,480 8,470 8,345 55 20 0 30 0 20 10
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 180 160 30 0 65 10 0 0 50 20
Athapaskan languages 11,225 11,040 10,490 265 115 10 65 0 95 185
Carrier 605 545 525 15 10 0 0 0 0 65
Chilcotin 430 415 410 0 0 0 0 0 0 20
Chipewyan 120 120 115 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dene 7,490 7,465 7,125 175 80 10 0 0 60 25
Dogrib 1,110 1,110 1,040 25 10 0 10 0 25 0
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 20 25 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
North Slave (Hare) 650 655 590 15 0 0 45 0 0 0
South Slave 605 595 545 20 15 0 10 0 10 10
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 180 115 100 10 0 0 0 0 0 65
Haida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages 30 20 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Mohawk 20 20 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
Kutenai 15 15 15 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 510 505 480 20 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shuswap 250 245 235 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 55 55 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages, n.i.e. 205 205 195 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 3,780 3,755 3,700 45 0 0 0 0 0 30
Tlingit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 560 545 525 10 0 0 0 0 0 20
Gitksan 315 315 310 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nisga'a 180 165 165 0 0 0 0 0 0 10
Tsimshian 65 65 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages 115 110 105 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nootka 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 105 105 90 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut 25,360 25,075 70 10 0 0 22,875 1,930 195 280
Inuinnaqtun 70 70 10 0 0 0 65 0 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 25,290 25,005 65 10 10 0 22,815 1,930 190 280
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 215 155 110 40 0 0 0 0 0 65
Other single responses 3,342,790 3,845 915 1,740 375 645 50 40 80 3,338,945
Total multiple responsesFootnote 13 576,005 17,765 9,215 5,220 545 1,565 505 165 555 558,240
English and Aboriginal languageFootnote 14 9,680 9,455 7,645 810 140 20 455 80 300 225
French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 15 695 670 565 45 0 0 40 0 10 25
English, French and Aboriginal languageFootnote 16 80 70 50 0 15 0 10 10 0 0
Other multiple responses 565,550 7,570 950 4,350 385 1,545 10 75 250 557,980
Total population by knowledge of Aboriginal languagesFootnote 17 31,241,030 1,678,235 512,150 693,355 77,295 285,755 40,975 18,610 50,090 29,562,795
Total - Single responsesFootnote 18 20,015,415 1,189,670 307,385 534,260 61,855 221,275 13,455 13,250 38,175 18,825,745
English 15,697,470 1,056,880 274,380 460,630 55,560 209,370 8,765 12,435 35,735 14,640,590
French 3,851,775 119,570 25,365 73,050 6,195 11,810 265 595 2,295 3,732,205
Non-official languages 466,165 13,215 7,640 580 100 90 4,435 220 145 452,945
Aboriginal languages 12,725 12,540 7,450 315 25 0 4,415 225 115 185
Algonquian languages 7,180 7,065 6,655 285 25 0 15 0 85 115
Algonquin 60 60 55 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Atikamekw 860 860 835 25 0 0 0 0 0 0
Blackfoot 25 25 25 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cree 3,495 3,420 3,145 170 25 0 0 0 75 80
Malecite 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mi'kmaq 80 80 80 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Montagnais-Naskapi 1,070 1,040 960 60 0 0 10 0 0 30
Ojibway 705 700 690 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Oji-Cree 880 875 855 15 0 0 0 0 0 0
Algonquian languages, n.i.e. 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages 745 740 710 20 10 0 10 0 0 0
Carrier 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chilcotin 25 30 20 10 0 0 0 0 0 0
Chipewyan 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Dene 470 465 450 10 0 0 0 0 0 10
Dogrib 105 105 105 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutchin-Gwich'in (Loucheux) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
North Slave (Hare) 50 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
South Slave 75 75 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Athapaskan languages, n.i.e. 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Haida 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mohawk 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Iroquoian languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kutenai 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages 15 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Shuswap 10 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Thompson (Ntlakapamux) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salish languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Siouan languages (Dakota/Sioux) 55 55 60 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tlingit 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Tsimshian languages 10 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Gitksan 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nisga'a 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
Tsimshian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Nootka 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wakashan languages, n.i.e. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Inuktitut 4,715 4,655 10 0 0 0 4,395 225 30 60
Inuinnaqtun 15 15 0 0 0 0 15 0 0 0
Inuktitut, n.i.e. 4,700 4,640 10 0 0 0 4,380 225 35 55
Aboriginal languages, n.i.e. 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other single responses 453,435 675 185 275 70 90 20 0 25 452,760
Total multiple responsesFootnote 19 11,225,615 488,565 204,765 159,095 15,440 64,475 27,520 5,360 11,915 10,737,050
English and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 20 217,295 211,910 159,965 15,320 3,470 740 24,690 2,905 4,825 5,385
French and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 21 14,515 14,235 12,475 780 30 0 860 45 45 275
English, French and Aboriginal language(s)Footnote 22 11,825 10,670 6,330 1,710 270 165 1,415 390 375 1,150
Other multiple responses 10,981,980 251,750 25,995 141,280 11,665 63,570 555 2,020 6,670 10,730,230

Footnotes

Footnote 1

'Area of residence' refers to the following geographic areas: on reserve, urban census metropolitan area, urban non-census metropolitan area and rural area. These geographic areas can be used to show where the Aboriginal population is residing.

'On reserve' includes eight census subdivision (CSD) types legally affiliated with First Nations or Indian bands, i.e., Indian reserve (IRI), Indian settlement (S-E), Indian government district (IGD), terres réservées aux Cris (TC), terres réservées aux Naskapis (TK), Nisga'a village (NVL), Nisga'a land (NL) and Teslin land (TL), as well as 35 additional CSDs of various other types that are generally northern communities in Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon Territory, which have large concentrations of Registered Indians.

An urban area has a minimum population concentration of 1,000 persons and a population density of at least 400 persons per square kilometre, based on the current census population count. All territory outside urban areas is classified as rural. On-reserve CSDs are excluded from this category.

A census metropolitan area (CMA) is a large urban area and has a population of at least 100,000.

Urban non-census metropolitan areas are smaller urban areas with a population of less than 100,000.

Rural areas include remote and wilderness areas and agricultural lands, as well as small towns, villages and other populated places with a population of less than 1,000. On-reserve CSDs are excluded from this category.

Additional information on the geographic units can be obtained from the 2006 Census Dictionary.

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Footnote 2

Excludes census data for one or more incompletely enumerated Indian reserves or Indian settlements.

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Footnote 3

Refers to those persons who reported at least one Aboriginal ancestry (North American Indian, Métis or Inuit) to the ethnic origin question. 'Ethnic origin' refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of a person's ancestors. Additional Information on ethnic origin can be obtained from the 2006 Census Dictionary.
'Aboriginal ancestry' was referred to as 'Aboriginal origin' prior the 2006 Census. The content of the variable remains unchanged in 2006 compared with the previous censuses.

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Footnote 4

Includes those who reported multiple Aboriginal ancestries or multiple Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestries to the ethnic origin question.

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Footnote 5

Mother tongue refers to the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the individual at the time of the census.

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Footnote 6

Indicates the number of persons who reported only one language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 7

Indicates the number of persons who reported more than one language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 8

Indicates the number of persons who reported English and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 9

Indicates the number of persons who reported French and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 10

Indicates the number of persons who reported English, French and one Aboriginal language as their mother tongue.

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Footnote 11

Refers to the language spoken most often at home by the individual at the time of the census. The data on home language shown in this table are not comparable to data found in similar tables produced for the 2001 Census when home language referred to the language spoken most often at home and the language spoken on a regular basis at home.

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Footnote 12

Indicates the number of persons who reported only one language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 13

Indicates the number of persons who reported more than one language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 14

Indicates the number of persons who reported English and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 15

Indicates the number of persons who reported French and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 16

Indicates the number of persons who reported English, French and one Aboriginal language spoken most often at home.

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Footnote 17

Refers to the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 18

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of only one language, either as an official or a non-official language. For example, the category 'English' includes persons who reported knowledge of English only without reporting knowledge of any non-official language(s).

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Footnote 19

Indicates the number of persons who reported multiple official and/or non-official languages.

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Footnote 20

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of English and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 21

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of French and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Footnote 22

Indicates the number of persons who reported knowledge of English, French and at least one Aboriginal language.

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Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-558-XCB2006019.

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Footnotes

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Footnote c

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Footnote d

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