Immigration and Diversity Today
Where are newcomers going and how is Canada supporting them?
Highlights from 2011 Statistics Canada Census Data
In 2011, Canada had a foreign-born population of about 6,775,800 people. They represented 20.6% of the total population, the highest proportion among the G8 countries.
The vast majority (95%) of the foreign-born population lived in four provinces: Ontario (53%), British Columbia (18%), Quebec (14%) and Alberta (10%), and most lived in the nation's largest urban centres.
7 out of 10 lived in the three largest census metropolitan areas: Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver.
- Nearly 6,264,800 people identified themselves as a member of a visible minority group. They represented 19.1% of the total population. Of these visible minorities, 30.9% were born in Canada and 65.1% were born outside the country.
- Just over 22.1 million people, two-thirds of Canada's population, reported they were affiliated with a Christian religion. Slightly over 1 million individuals identified themselves as Muslim, representing 3.2% of the nation's total population. Hindus represented 1.5%, Sikhs 1.4%, Buddhists 1.1% and Jewish 1.0%.
- More than 7.8 million people, nearly one-quarter of the population (23.9%), had no religious affiliation.
- a majority (74.5%) of Canada's foreign-born population was able to conduct a conversation in more than one language, compared to 36.6% of the total population.
- The Philippines was the leading country of birth among people who immigrated to Canada between 2006 and 2011. In 2011, around 152,300 newcomers were born in the Philippines, 13.1% of all newcomers.
- It was followed by China, from which roughly 122,100 newcomers or 10.5% arrived, and India, from which about 121,400 or 10.4% originated.
- Completing the top 10 countries of birth were the United States, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Iran, South Korea, Colombia and Mexico.
- Of Canada's 6.8 million immigrants in 2011, 91.0% lived in one of Canada's 33 census metropolitan areas (CMAs), compared with 63.3% of people who were born in Canada.
- The median age of newcomers in 2011 was 31.7 years (Canada's overall median age is ~ 40).
ISSUE: Why are immigrants mostly going to cities? What impacts result?
2. Discuss questions 1-4 with the class.
3. Help newcomers settle into their new life in Canada:
When you arrive in a new location or are planning a trip, what are some of the first things you want to know about this location? What kind of clothing do I need? Is it hot or cold? Where is the best place to eat? Is my hotel or apartment in a safe part of town? Will I be able to speak their language? To ensure a successful transition, many communities have services in place for new Canadians to help them adjust to their new location. Using the Government of Canada website, in 2-3 paragraphs (about a page - in your own words) explain how a new Canadian can have a smooth transition. Be sure to include information on key facts about Canada, health services, schooling, living, Canada's official languages and adjusting to life in Canada.