Census metropolitan area

A census metropolitan area is a big city and all the smaller cities and towns that are right around it. Imagine if you live in a big city like Toronto, there are lots of little cities like Mississauga and Brampton that are right beside it. All of those places together make up the census metropolitan area of Toronto. The government counts how many people live in these areas every few years, and uses the information to help make important decisions for the people who live there.