Ontario, Migration and the Ontario, Migration and the Paradoxes of Diversity Paradoxes of Diversity

Jack JedwabJack Jedwab

Association for Canadian Studies Association for Canadian Studies

February 2013 February 2013

Introduction Introduction

Ontario is often seen as the capital of Canadian multiculturalism with Ontario is often seen as the capital of Canadian multiculturalism with one of the continent’s most multi-ethnic and multi-racial populations. one of the continent’s most multi-ethnic and multi-racial populations. But how do Ontarians view questions around immigration, But how do Ontarians view questions around immigration, integration and identity? To what degree are views around issues of integration and identity? To what degree are views around issues of immigration and diversity amongst Ontarians shared by other immigration and diversity amongst Ontarians shared by other Canadians? Is Ontario a distinct society when it comes to relevant Canadians? Is Ontario a distinct society when it comes to relevant questions around immigration and integration? The research below questions around immigration and integration? The research below suggests a certain paradox when it comes to views on immigration suggests a certain paradox when it comes to views on immigration and integration. Most important perhaps is the concern with the and integration. Most important perhaps is the concern with the overall numbers of immigrants despite the generally high degree of overall numbers of immigrants despite the generally high degree of value attributed to their contribution. Before proceeding to analyze value attributed to their contribution. Before proceeding to analyze the survey results the next slide will present the evolution numbers the survey results the next slide will present the evolution numbers of immigrants (c.2002-2011) coming to Ontario and some of its of immigrants (c.2002-2011) coming to Ontario and some of its larger cities. As well changing demographic trends in Ontario on the larger cities. As well changing demographic trends in Ontario on the basis of migration are worth noting as economic concerns persist basis of migration are worth noting as economic concerns persist and population growth stalls in the province. and population growth stalls in the province.

Ontario July-Sept 2012 population increase Ontario July-Sept 2012 population increase smallest for 3smallest for 3rdrd quarter since 1993 quarter since 1993

In the third quarter of 2012, Ontario (+0.3%) experienced a population growth comparable to the national average. In October 1, 2012, Ontario’s population was estimated at 13,546,100, an increase of 40,200 (+0.3%) compared with July 1, 2012. It was the province’s smallest third-quarter population increase since 1993. The slowdown in the province’s population growth was mainly attributable to its losses in interprovincial migration (-5,600). In the third quarter of 2012, Ontario lost almost 5,900 people in migration exchanges with Alberta.

Alberta posted a population growth of 33,100 (+0.9%) in the third quarter of 2012 to 3,906,800 as of October 1, 2012. Population increase had not been this high for any quarter, with the exception of the third quarter of 1980. This growth was mainly the result of net interprovincial migration (+13,900), with net gain with Ontario (+5,900) and British Columbia (+4,000).Source Statistics Canada, Source Statistics Canada, Quarterly Demographic EstimatesJuly to September 2012, (Released December 18, 2012)

Immigration tumbles in Ontario Immigration tumbles in Ontario

As observed below in 2011 immigration to the province As observed below in 2011 immigration to the province of Ontario declined to 99 458 a near 20% decrease over of Ontario declined to 99 458 a near 20% decrease over the previous year and a low for the 21the previous year and a low for the 21stst century. For the century. For the third quarter of 2012 the trend continued with third quarter of 2012 the trend continued with immigration to Ontario at 86 385. Considering 4immigration to Ontario at 86 385. Considering 4thth quarter quarter growth averages 7500 per year (with a range of 5000 to growth averages 7500 per year (with a range of 5000 to 15 000 per year in Ontario) it is likely that the numbers 15 000 per year in Ontario) it is likely that the numbers for 2012 will remain about the same as 2011. While the for 2012 will remain about the same as 2011. While the number of permanent residents in Ontario declines number of permanent residents in Ontario declines temporary entrants have gone up slightly rising to 67 405 temporary entrants have gone up slightly rising to 67 405 in 2011 its highest for the 21in 2011 its highest for the 21stst century and 10% higher century and 10% higher than in 2009than in 2009

Urban area

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Ottawa 7,156 5,960 6,366 6,377 6,279 5,798 6,286 6,297 7,172 6,411

Toronto 111,684 97,554 99,913 112,832 99,289 87,139 86,899 82,639 92,182 77,759

Hamilton 3,127 3,599 4,155 4,613 4,036 3,680 3,806 3,778 4,003 3,296

Kitchener 2,196 2,398 2,767 2,964 3,321 3,205 2,914 2,823 3,059 2,518

London 1,730 2,024 2,347 3,233 2,979 2,459 2,338 2,464 2,938 2,270

Ont Prov

133,587 119,723 125,093 140,526 125,891 111,316 110,877 106,861 118,111 99,458

In 2011, Ontario overall immigration declined to lowest number thus far in the 21In 2011, Ontario overall immigration declined to lowest number thus far in the 21stst century. In our 5 citiescentury. In our 5 cities

Ottawa total number of immigrants declined least between 2010 and 2011Ottawa total number of immigrants declined least between 2010 and 2011Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Methodology for Opinion Survey Results on Methodology for Opinion Survey Results on Immigration and Diversity Immigration and Diversity

The National web-based survey was The National web-based survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing conducted by the firm Leger Marketing commissioned for the Association for commissioned for the Association for Canadian Studies with a sample of 2 200 Canadian Studies with a sample of 2 200 Canadians was conducted during the Canadians was conducted during the week of November 5th, 2012 and had a week of November 5th, 2012 and had a probabilistic margin of error is 2.9 percent probabilistic margin of error is 2.9 percent 19 times out of 2019 times out of 20

% Agreement in brackets percentage that disagree

Canada Maritimes QC ON MB/SK AB BC

Multiculturalism a source of personal or collective pride in Canada

68% 63% 62% 70% 62% 68% 68%

There are too many immigrants in Canada

44% (48%) 26% 49% 46% (49%)

43% 45% 43%

Immigrants should be encouraged to give up their customs and traditions and become more like the rest of the population

47%(47%) 29% 61% 43% (51%)

55% 48% 41%

People with different ethnic and religious backgrounds than the majority make an important contribution to our society

67% 77% 54% 69% 68% 77% 67%

Having many ethnic groups weakens the national culture

38% 25% 48% 37% 33% 41% 32%

More than ever, in public, I hear languages other than English or French

82% 70% 77% 85% 82% 89% 85%

Ontarians slightly above national average in percentage agreeing there are too Ontarians slightly above national average in percentage agreeing there are too many immigrants in Canada But slightly above average in value ssigned to many immigrants in Canada But slightly above average in value ssigned to

diversity diversity

Ottawa residents most favorable to immigrants. Hamilton residents Ottawa residents most favorable to immigrants. Hamilton residents most likely to agree that there are too many immigrants most likely to agree that there are too many immigrants

ThereThere are too many are too many

immigrants in Canadaimmigrants in Canada Strongly agreeStrongly agreeSomewhatSomewhat

agreeagree

TotalTotalAgree Agree

Total Total Disagree Disagree

Some-Some-WhatWhat

disagreedisagreeStrongly Strongly disagreedisagree I don't knowI don't know

Hamilton - Niagara Hamilton - Niagara PeninsulaPeninsula

23.7%23.7% 28.0%28.0% 51.751.7 41.941.9

21.5%21.5% 20.4%20.4% 6.5%6.5%

Kitchener - Waterloo - Kitchener - Waterloo - BarrieBarrie

14.9%14.9% 31.9%31.9% 46.846.8 47.847.8 25.5%25.5% 22.3%22.3% 6.2%6.2%

Greater London areaGreater London area 20.3%20.3% 21.7%21.7% 42.042.0 49.349.3 26.1%26.1% 23.2%23.2% 8.7%8.7%

Greater Ottawa areaGreater Ottawa area 19.5%19.5% 19.5%19.5% 39.039.0 55.355.3 28.5%28.5% 26.8%26.8% 5.7%5.7%

Greater Toronto areaGreater Toronto area 13.8%13.8% 29.2%29.2% 43.043.0 52.952.9 23.7%23.7% 29.2%29.2% 4.0%4.0%