Statistics Canada’s IOR study of 2023 revealed the score given to every livable Canadian destination. The IOR study reflects the Index of Remoteness associated with Canadian habitable places. The study is based on several types of Census Subdivisions, including Municipalities, Villages, Cities, and Townships throughout Canada.
This type of assessment typically determined the distance and travel convenience between each Census Subdivision and a chief population center. This center is usually an area having a minimum population of 1,000 and over 400 individuals per sq. km.
Statistics Canada’s IOR study of 2023
The study further allots a score between 0 (nearby the population center) and 1 (the remote score) to each Census Subdivision. This allocation of scores occurs based on a specific formula. This formula acknowledges the center population within reach of a specific CSD.
Additionally, it also outlines the travel cost and the number of population centers that are reachable by the CSD within the specific price of nearly $36 CAD. Furthermore, this score links with the remoteness score between 0 and 1.
The Index of Remoteness assesses several factors, like the number of population centers within reach on a routine basis, physical distance, and travel costs. Moreover, the remoteness scores can indicate the convenience of resources and services that drive major socio-economic outcomes. For instance, healthcare, economic opportunities, and education concerning different CSDs.
The role of IOR study- how to utilize it?
The IOR acts as a valuable platform for candidates and applicants to conduct their search regarding a place to settle in Canada. Even though these scores aren’t too detailed, they still provide a fair idea to people regarding the distance, travel costs, and available services for the locations. Moreover, once they get this score, they can also study more about communities, travel costs, distance, and cost of living.
Also, this can be helpful for PNP candidates, whose likelihood of gaining Canadian PR relies on their chosen province.
The latest immigration study reveals the remoteness scores through the given table. This data includes cities receiving the maximum number of newcomers in 2022.
| Location | Index of Remoteness Score |
|---|---|
| Toronto | 0.00 |
| Montréal | 0.03 |
| Vancouver | 0.06 |
| Calgary | 0.10 |
| Edmonton | 0.11 |
| Ottawa—Gatineau (Ontario part) | 0.11 |
| Winnipeg | 0.14 |
| Halifax | 0.19 |
| Saskatoon | 0.21 |
| Regina | 0.22 |
In case candidates don’t see their location of interest in the table, they can download information from Statistics Canada.
What are the essential insights of the IOR study?
Check out the given data in the table to get the IOR scores of all Canadian provinces or territories within the 2021 Census data. The scores will depend upon the CSDs that new immigrants would choose to settle in, municipalities, communities, villages, townships, and municipal districts.
Notably, all provinces don’t have the desired CSDs. “*” denotes a few provinces with desired CSDs but not all. Also, those provinces with no desired CSD can be seen through a sign of “**.”
| Province | Provincial Score on Index of Remoteness |
|---|---|
| Alberta* | 0.29 |
| British Columbia | 0.32 |
| Manitoba | 0.37 |
| New Brunswick* | 0.37 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador* | 0.29 |
| Northwest Territories* | 0.70 |
| Nova Scotia* | 0.35 |
| Nunavut** | 0.47 |
| Ontario | 0.25 |
| Prince Edward Island** | 0.32 |
| Quebec | 0.23 |
| Saskatchewan* | 0.38 |
| Yukon* | 0.62 |
More details on the IOR data
Expectedly, Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario have the least average remoteness scores despite receiving the maximum number of immigrants. Meanwhile, the Canadian provinces and territories with a small population size achieved higher scores. Essentially, all provinces and territories faced a lack of their desired CSDs per the newcomer’s tendencies, except Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec.
These desired CSDs will gain remarkable consideration during the analysis of their remoteness scores.
Typically, the remoteness scores enhance while individuals travel further north in Canada. This is especially true on the basis of the population report.
Additionally, most CSDs in Canada fall between 0.10 and 0.55. These IOR scores imply that remoteness was not a major challenge in Canada. However, the vastness of Canada and its thin population have directed the scores toward the rise of remoteness.
The immigration minister even claimed that despite the centralized population within specific provinces in 2022, IRCC would continue to spread the immigration advantages to Canada’s wider areas.
This further indicates a smaller population size and a need for new immigrants. This policy will enable to bring down scores of remoteness. The latest immigration levels plan implies that PNP has overpowered the Express Entry system as the leading immigration pathway.
