The largest immigration group in Canada comes from Asia, including the Middle East. They have had the highest proportion of recent immigrants for decades.
This proportion has risen, with Asian-born immigrants accounting for 62.0% of recent immigrants admitted from 2016 to 2021, up from 12.1% in 1971.
Canada has a long history of immigration, and many different groups have contributed to the country’s diverse and multicultural society over the years.
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Immigration is expected to rise further in the coming decades. According to recent population projections from Statistics Canada, immigrants could account for 29.1% to 34.0% of the total population by 2041.
Today, Canada is home to people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, and immigration continues to play a crucial role in the country’s social, economic, and cultural development.
This article will examine some of the largest immigration groups living in Canada.
The largest immigration group in Canada
The following demographics are some of the largest immigrant groups in Canada:
1. Chinese Canadian
One of the largest immigrant groups in Canada is the Chinese community. According to Statistics Canada, Chinese Canadians make up the largest visible minority group in the country, with over 1.8 million people identifying as Chinese in the 2021 Census.
This group has a long and rich history in Canada, with the first Chinese immigrants arriving in the country in the mid-19th century to work on constructing the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Chinese immigration to Canada began in the mid-19th century when Chinese workers were recruited to work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. These workers faced harsh working conditions and were subject to discrimination. Still, they persevered and eventually helped complete the railway, which played a crucial role in the country’s development.
After the completion of the railway, many Chinese immigrants stayed in Canada and settled in cities such as Vancouver and Toronto. They faced significant barriers to integration, including racial discrimination and limited job opportunities, but they worked hard to overcome these challenges and build a new life in their adopted country.
Over time, the Chinese immigrant community in Canada has grown significantly, and it is now one of the country’s largest and most diverse immigrant groups.
The Chinese immigrant community in Canada is highly diverse, with people coming from various backgrounds and cultural traditions. Many Chinese immigrants are highly educated and skilled and have significantly contributed to Canadian society in various fields, including business, science, and the arts.
In recent years, the Chinese immigrant community in Canada has faced several challenges, including rising levels of discrimination and racism. However, despite these challenges, the community has remained resilient and continues contributing to Canadian society.
Overall, the Chinese immigrant community in Canada is a vital and influential part of the country’s social and cultural fabric.
2. South Asian
Another large immigration group in Canada is the South Asian community. This group includes people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. According to Statistics Canada, South Asians make up the second-largest visible minority group in the country, with over 1.7 million people identifying as South Asian in the 2021 Census.
The Indian community is Canada’s fastest-growing immigrant group, accounting for 25% of permanent residents admitted in 2019. In 2021 India took the lead as the country of birth for recent immigrants to Canada, accounting for nearly one-fifth (18.6%).
Also, over the years, the Pakistani immigrant community in Canada has grown steadily, with over 160,000 people living primarily in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia.
One of the most appealing aspects of Canada is its multiculturalism and tolerance of all races and religions, with prominent Muslim Islamic communities. Islam is Canada’s second-largest faith after Christianity, and numerous organizations and places of worship exist throughout the country.
Pakistanis can now enjoy fast-tracked student visa application processing of just 20 days through the Student Direct Stream and immigration through economic immigration programs.
Like the Chinese community, the South Asian community has a long and rich history in Canada, with the first South Asian immigrants arriving in the country in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Since then, South Asian immigration to Canada has continued, and today, South Asian Canadians can be found in all parts of the country, making significant contributions to Canadian society.
3. Filipino community
Other large immigration groups in Canada include the Filipino community. When Filipinos decide to relocate to Canada, they tend to favor major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Calgary.
Despite a slight decrease in immigration over the last five years, communities continue to grow. This could be because Canada discontinued its former Live-in Caregiver program and replaced it with two new Home Support Worker Pilots.
Although this has simplified the application process, the number of available spots has decreased from 14,000 in 2019 to 5,000 in 2020.
4. Nigerians
The Nigerian immigrant community in Canada is rapidly expanding, with over 13,000 Nigerian permanent residents in 2019.
With recent travel bans in the United States, many immigrants have fled to Canada, settling in provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
Conclusion
In addition to these larger immigration groups, Canada is also home to many smaller but equally important groups, such as the Korean community, the Japanese community, the Caribbean community, and the Vietnamese community, to name just a few.
These groups and the many others that make up the fabric of Canadian society have contributed to the country’s rich cultural mosaic.
In recent years, the Chinese immigrant community in Canada has faced several challenges, including rising levels of discrimination and racism. However, despite these challenges, the community has remained resilient and continues to make significant contributions to Canadian society.
Overall, immigration has played a crucial role in the development of Canada, and today, the country is home to a diverse and multicultural population that reflects the many different cultures and traditions of the world.
Whether you are part of one of the largest immigrant groups in Canada or a smaller, more specialized group, your contribution to the country’s cultural diversity is invaluable.