Glossary · Programs & credentials
Census metropolitan area (CMA)
Also called: census agglomeration
A Statistics Canada metro area: a core city plus surrounding municipalities, with at least 100,000 people in total and at least 50,000 in the core.
What it means
Statistics Canada adds neighbouring municipalities to a CMA when enough of their residents commute into the core, so a CMA usually reaches well past city limits. Smaller areas with a core of at least 10,000 people are census agglomerations (CAs). Radon surveys, housing data and energy statistics are often reported by CMA.
Why it matters in an audit
When a statistic on a city page is for the CMA, it describes the wider metro area, which can differ from your own neighbourhood or town.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Definition (Statistics Canada, 2021 Census) | Total population of at least 100,000 with at least 50,000 in the core; census agglomerations need a core of at least 10,000 | www12.statcan.gc.ca ↗ |