Final answer:
Health Canada guidelines imply that a population has adequate intake when no more than 2-3% are under the Estimated Average Requirement, ensuring nutritional adequacy for virtually all (97-98%) individuals in a group.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Health Canada, a population has adequate intake if a maximum of 2-3% of people are under the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR). The EAR is a nutrient intake value that is estimated to meet the requirement of half the healthy individuals in a group. When the intake is adequate for approximately 97-98% of the population, this suggests that the population's intake is sufficient, as only a small percentage falls below the EAR.