Canada 2050 Assignment
What will Canada look like in 2050?
Introduction
Report
Current Situation
Currently, Canada has a reputation as a country with an openminded immigration policy which explains why Canada is such a multicultural society. As a result, Canada is known to have a wide ethnic range in population. Therefore, there is no specific race as a Canadian.
Facts about Immigration
- In 2011, 51% of all immigrants settles in the Toronto area, meaning more than half of all immigrants live in the GTA area
- 1 of every 5 people is an immigrant meaning 20% of Canada's population are immigrants
- Besides Toronto, Montreal (30%) and Vancouver (19%) are also popular locations where people immigrate to
- 7 out of every 10 immigrants settles in either Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver
- Comparing gender immigration rate, it is recorded that there are more female immigrants than males
Future Predictions
In the future, I predict ratio of immigrants in Canada will increase from 20% to approximately 40%+. My reasons are so because according to the National Post, the number of Muslims in Canada are predicted to triple. Since the current number of Muslims in Canada is 940,000 - about 2.8% of Canada's population, by tripling that amount to 2,820,000 - 8.4% of Canada's population it is evident Canada will have an increase immigration rate. If this continues, Canada may not become so lenient on their broad immigration policy due to an imbalance of space for homes for incoming immigrants to live in.
Demography
Current Situation
After the war in the 1950s, the baby boomers increased Canada's birth rate by more than 20%. Since then, the population of Canada has only since then continuously increased. After the 1960s, Canada's birthrate has dropped by more than 10% as well as the death rate which has also decreased. This is because as we advance as a society, the technology improves both industrially and health wise.
Facts about Demography
- In 1981, 2.4 million Canadians were aged 65 and older, now the number has nearly doubled to approximately 4.7 million which means 1 in every 7 Canadians and 56% of them are women
- In the 1940s, the life expectancy was a little over 60 years, now the life expectancy is over 80 years
- 6.4 million Canadians are either retired or semi-retired
- 7 in every 10 Canadians plan to keep working during retirement, meaning less job opportunities for the next generation
- Now there are more people over 50 than under 30
Future Predictions
According to Canadian Geographic, by 2050 Canada's population is expected to reach approximately 40 million. Before reaching 2050, it is expected the population growth will be slowed down from lower birth rates which could lower the population to 35 million if not offset by a high immigration rate.
First Nations
Current Situation
In the past, First Nations have had to fight for their own rights and freedom as a society. There are currently more than 630 First Nations governments/bands all over Canada. About half of these clans are found in Ontario and British Columbia. Surprisingly, the total population has only 700,00 people which is clear that they are visibly minorities.
Facts about First Nations
- 1/4 of First Nations people are reported being Registered Indians, representing 74.9% of all First Nations people, 45.5 of the total Aboriginal population, and 1.9% of the total Canadian population
- There are over 60 Aboriginal languages spoken by First Nations people, indicates the diversity of First Nations people all over Canada
- The largest First Nations population is in Ontario (201,100) where 23.6% of all First Nations people live
- The second largest First Nations population is in British Columbia (155,020) where 18.2% of all First Nations people live
- The third largest First Nations population is in Alberta (116,670) where 13.7% of all First Nations people live
Future Predictions
I predict the future for First Nations will not be so bright in 2050. So far these people are living on reserves that are not as developed as the rest of Canada's communities which explains why some of these First Nations are moving off of their reserves to find better education and more job opportunities. By the time it's 2050, if their reserves are still not developed as fast as the rest of Canada, the population for these First Nations may drastically decrease and may potentially lose the importance of their culture and may even die out as the First Nations culture and beliefs are appearing to become less and less cherished.
Immigration
Demography
First Nations
Conclusion
Bibliography
http://www.canadafaq.ca/canadian-immigration-facts.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Canada
http://www.carp.ca/media-section/fact-sheet/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Nations#Early_21st_century
http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-011-x/99-011-x2011001-eng.cfm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_Canada#2011_immigration_statistics