Canadian immigrants’ settlement preference is currently changing as they decide to settle outside the primary locations. Earlier, the chief places for immigrants to settle included Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Reportedly, between 2016 and 2021, 29.5 percent of Canadian immigrants chose to settle in Toronto. On the other hand, 12.2 percent settled in Montreal, while below 11.7 percent settled in Vancouver.
However, this trend has been continuing for the previous fifty years. For instance, looking back at 1999, 2001, and 2006, over 68 percent of immigrants annually preferred to settle in the above three cities.
Per the latest 2021 Census, the above statistics no longer don’t hold relevance.
Canadian immigrants’ settlement preference- knowing the current statistics
The latest Statistics Canada report claims that the number of recent immigrants choosing to settle in these three chief Canadian locations has reduced. The number of immigrants selecting any of the three prime locations has dropped from 56.0 percent to 53.4 percent. This stands true according to the recent Census data between 2016 to 2021.
The share of new immigrants choosing to settle in Montreal decreased from 14.8 percent in 2016 to 12.2 percent in 2021. Montreal fell under the Census Metropolitan Area category and witnessed the largest decline in immigrants settling there.
Moreover, recent immigrants now prefer to settle in areas outside these prime locations: Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto.
Additionally, the Ottawa-Gatineau region witnessed an increase in the number of immigrants settling here, accounting for a total 1.3 percent growth. In 2016, the growth was 3.1 percent, while in 2021, the growth was around 4.4 percent. Another CMA category is the Kitchener-Cambridge Waterloo. This area witnessed twice the growth, from 1.2 percent to 2.1 percent during the same period. Also, up to 4.4 percent of recent immigrants landed in small urban areas, while 3.2 percent went to smaller rural areas in 2021.
Broadly speaking, the newcomers are also choosing more Canadian provinces for settlement purposes. According to reports, in 2021, five Canadian provinces witnessed massive growth in the number of newcomers settling there. The latest Census report also claims that Ontario witnessed a growth in recent immigrants. This region observed a rise in percentage from 39 percent in 2016 to 44 percent in 2021. During the same period, British Columbia’s immigration percentage increased from 14.5 percent to 14.9 percent. Additionally, Nova Scotia also witnessed an improvement in the immigrant settlement percentage. This province saw growth from 1 to 1.6 percent. New Brunswick also saw an increase from 0.8 to 1.2 percent. Besides this, Prince Edward Island observed a growth rate from 0.3 percent to 0.4 percent.
Immigrant distribution is changing- its impact on Canada
Canada always wanted immigrants to broaden their perspectives and choices. This implies that they also wanted them to explore and settle in Canadian provinces. As a result, the government introduced the concept of Provincial Nominee Programs in 1998. Also, immigration is advantageous for Canada, and by uplifting smaller regions by focusing on economic growth, it is possible to help them flourish.
Newcomers who prefer to settle in different areas across Canada will either use the eleven PNPs or other relevant pathways. Consequently, they shall be able to combat the existing labor shortages applicable to the specific areas they choose to reside in. Moreover, it will end up in increased regional economic development. This will happen because of the newcomers who will gain employment, earn good salaries, and contribute to the Canadian economy. 79.9 percent of Canadian labor force growth (from 2016 to 2021) is a result of immigration.
New immigrants will keep contributing to the Canadian economy through tax payments and spending their finances on transportation, housing, and other essential items. Overall, the regions currently flourishing due to immigration will certainly experience immense economic growth.
The new immigrant settlement preferences will eventually lead to more destinations across Canada, observing an upward economic trend. Overall, Canada will significantly emerge victorious with strong economic development.
