Canada is home to more immigrants than ever before, according to the latest survey information released by Statistics Canada.
Though the survey method itself is the subject of some controversy, the data shows that approximately 20.6 percent of Canada’s population is foreign born. This is up from the previous census results of 19.8 percent in 2006. This is not only the largest percentage in Canadian history, but also the largest of the G8 countries.
However, critics are questioning the results of the survey, saying that voluntary questionnaires are not as reliable as the previously used mandatory long-form census. Still, officials with Statistics Canada say that the high response rate to the new survey yielded a “high quality of results.”
The questions on immigration show that most newcomers are of Asian and Middle Eastern background and are living in suburban regions. The survey found that The Philippines were the top source of newcomers, with a footnote to say that this data differs from Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s numbers, perhaps adding fuel to critiques of the new survey method.
Newcomers are, on average, younger than the Canadian population at 31.7 and 37.3 years old, respectively. The vast majority is settling in Canada’s three most populous cities – Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, though other regions are seeing an increase in new arrivals.
Not surprisingly, the survey showed an increase in Canadians of Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu and Muslim faith, much of which likely correlates to the rise in immigration from Asian and Middle Eastern countries.
Source: National Post
