Canadian Immigration: A Multicultural Tapestry

1. Immigration

2. http://vimeo.com/31373691 • http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/the-magazine/the-magazine-latest/ngm-7billion/

3. Immigrants make up 98% of Canadians • This explains why Canada is described as a Multicultural Society • The mix of ethnic groups in different parts of Canada varies widely from province to province • Canada has been receiving immigrants for hundreds of years which has helped to increase Canada’s total population

4. How many immigrants? • Since 1867, the number of immigrants has varied enormously from year to year • In 1913, the annual total of immigrants reached 400,000 people • Recently however, about 200,000 immigrants arrive each year to Canada • These differences can be traced to a variety of political and economic factors both in Canada and the rest of the world

5. Where do immigrants come from? • The major sources of immigrants have changed greatly over the years • In the past, most immigrants came from Europe • Today, most immigrants come from Asian, African, and South American countries • People have come from every part of the world seeking a better life.

6. Immigrating to canada • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGAsyrYtQQ0

7. Why people become immigrants? • People become immigrants because of either Push Factors or Pull factors • PUSH FACTOR = Factor such as unemployment or the lack of freedom of speech, that makes people want to leave their country and move to another one • PULL FACTOR= Factor such as freedom of speech or employment opportunities that attract a person to a country.

8. Potential immigrants may face intervening obstacles that may discourage or even stop a person from immigrating to another country • These intervening obstacles may include: • Immigration requirements • Distance • Cost of immigration • fear

9. Where immigrants live in canada • There exists an uneven distribution of immigrants within Canada • The provinces of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and Alberta remain a favourite destination for immigrants • Most immigrants settle in large cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal • 40% of all immigrants choose Toronto

10. Why do immigrants choose these large cities? • These cities have large populations of various cultural groups that can support… • Stores • Entertainment facilities • Religious organizations • Cultural organizations • Other familiar products and services • Employment opportunities

11. How someone becomes an immigrant to Canada • When someone immigrates to Canada they become a landed immigrant • The Canadian government has strict rules to decide who will be admitted to the country • Without these restrictions, far more people would want to come to Canada than we could accommodate • Landed immigrant – Canadian immigrant with permanent resident status who is not yet a Canadian citizen

12. Canada accepts three types of immigrants • Independent immigrants • Family immigrants • refugees

13. Independent immigrants • There are two types of independent immigrants: • Skilled worker • Business class • The Canadian government uses a point system to determine which people should be allowed into Canada

14. Family Immigrants • This category allows Canadian residents (both citizens and landed immigrants) to reunite their families by bringing their close relatives to Canada • Every family immigrant must be sponsored by a relative in Canada • The sponsor agrees to provide housing and other needs for ten years • The risks associated with sponsorship, along with stricter government rules, make it harder to sponsor family members

15. Refugees • A refugee is someone who fears persecution or even death in his/her home country • To be considered a refugee, this persecution must arise for reasons of • Religion • Race/nationality • Political opinion • Membership in a particular group • Natural disasters • Human disasters • Typically, the number of refugees coming to Canada ranges from 24,000 to 32,000 people each year