SASKATCHEWAN STATISTICAL IMMIGRATION REPORT 2008

Transcription

1 SASKATCHEWAN STATISTICAL IMMIGRATION REPORT 2008 Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Immigration Services Division

2 Table of Contents Overview of Immigration to Saskatchewan... 1 Immigration to Canada... 2 Immigration to Saskatchewan... 4 Family Status... 5 Gender... 6 Age... 6 Source Region and Country of Citizenship... 7 Destination in Saskatchewan Occupations (Ages 15+ ) Skill Levels (Ages 15+ ) Educational Levels (Ages 15+ ) Mother Tongues Official Language Ability ii

3 Tables and Figures Table 1. Immigrants to Canada by Federal Class and Percentages of Total, Table 2. Distribution of Immigrants, by Province and Territory, Table 3. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Family Status, Table 4. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Gender, Table 5. Distribution of Immigrants by Age Group... 7 Table 6. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source World Area, Table 7. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source Country (Top 10), Table 8. Provincial Nominees by Source Country (Top 10), Table 9. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Community (Top 10), Table 10. Provincial Nominees by Community (Top 10), Table 11. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Occupation (Top 10), Table 12. Provincial Nominees by Occupation (Top 10), Table 13. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Skill Level (Ages 15+ ), Table 14. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Educational Level (Ages 15+ ), Table 15. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Mother Tongue (Top 10), Table 16. Provincial Nominees by Mother Tongue (Top 10), Figure 1. Saskatchewan Immigrant Landings, Figure 2. Saskatchewan Landings, Figure 3. Official Language Ability of Immigrants, Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, iii

4 Overview of Immigration to Saskatchewan Immigration provides an important tool for addressing Saskatchewan s labour market and demographic challenges by increasing the pool of workers in the province and enriching the ethno-cultural mosaic of our communities. In light of the demand for labour in specific sectors, and the positive economic and social contributions of newcomers, Saskatchewan continues to improve and expand the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) to attract and retain new immigrants, including skilled workers and family members. To come to Saskatchewan permanently, foreign nationals can apply for immigration under three main federal classes or through the SINP. The 2002 federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act sets out eligibility criteria for prospective immigrants in each class: Economic; Family; and Refugees. The Economic class includes Skilled Workers and Professionals (with or without a job offer in Canada), Canadian Experience (for those with recent Canadian work experience or that have graduated and recently worked in Canada), businesspersons (investors, entrepreneurs, and self-employed) and Provincial Nominees. Family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply under the Family class. The Refugee class includes government-assisted, privately-sponsored refugees, refugees landed in Canada, and the dependents of refugees abroad. The SINP is Saskatchewan s Provincial Nominee Program. This provincially-administered immigration program allows Saskatchewan to select and nominate prospective immigrants that would positively contribute to its economy and society, and are likely to successfully settle in the province. Upon nomination by the SINP, prospective immigrants can apply to the federal government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) for a permanent resident visa that allows them to live and work in Canada. The Canada-Saskatchewan Immigration Agreement, signed in May 2005, outlines the rights and responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments with respect to Saskatchewanselected prospective immigrants. The SINP currently administers seven admission categories: Skilled Workers, Family Members, Health Professionals, International Students, Long-Haul Truck Drivers, Hospitality Sector Workers and Entrepreneurs/Farmers. Most categories (with the exception of Family Members and Entrepreneurs) require applicants to have a permanent, full-time job offer from a Saskatchewan employer, in addition to education, work experience, and official language requirements. In the Family Members category, where the applicant does not need a job offer, the applicant must be supported by a close family member, who is a Saskatchewan resident. Entrepreneurs must be prepared to make a significant investment in the province and must prove a minimum net worth, among other conditions. The flow of immigrants to Saskatchewan followed a slight upward trend from 1999 to 2005, with significant annual increases since 2005, almost entirely due to an expansion of the SINP. In 2008, total immigration increased by 37.5 per cent, compared to 2007, following a 29 per cent increase in 2007, compared to These statistics reflect Saskatchewan s efforts to benefit from immigration and to promote the province as a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Over the ten-year period, total immigration to Saskatchewan increased from 1,728 in 1999 to 4,836 in 2008, or 180 per cent (Figure 1). 1

5 Figure 1. Saskatchewan Immigrant Landings, Number of Immigrants % of Canadian total % % 1.5% % 0.5% Source: CIC, Facts and Figures % Immigration to Canada In 2008, Canada welcomed 247,243 new immigrants (principal applicants and dependents), an increase of four per cent compared to The largest group, equivalent to 149,072, or 60 per cent of total immigrants, arrived under the federal Economic class. These totals include the 22,418 provincial nominees that were nominated by provinces across Canada. The second largest group of immigrants arrived under the federal Family class 65,567 (26.5 per cent). The most noticeable trend over the last three years ( ) has been the gradual change in the composition of the federal Economic class, with provincial nominees accounting for a rising proportion of all economic immigrants to Canada (Table 1). 2

6 Table 1. Immigrants to Canada by Federal Class and Percentages of Total, No. % No. % No. % Family class 70,507 28% 66,230 28% 65, % Economic class 124,915 50% 114,153 48% 126,654 51% Provincial nominees 13,336 5% 17,095 7% 22,418 9% Refugees 32,503 13% 27,956 12% 21,860 9% Other immigrants 1 10,382 4% 11,324 5% 10,742 4% Total 251, % 236, % 247, % Source: CIC Microdata, Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia continue to be the top destination provinces for immigrants; however, since 2005 there has been a gradual decline in the flow of immigrants to Ontario. Between 2006 and 2008, immigration to Ontario slowed by approximately 12 per cent. The trends for Quebec and British Columbia have fluctuated during the same period. This recent trend in immigration to Canada s three largest provinces has closely followed the trends in the provinces largest cities Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Unlike Montreal, Toronto continued to experience declines in immigrant numbers between 2006 and 2008, while Vancouver fluctuated. However, across Canada, new immigrants have settled predominantly in medium and large urban centres. Only 6 per cent of new immigrants in 2008 settled in small urban centres and rural areas. Meanwhile, some provinces that have not been traditionally popular destinations for immigrants, such as the Atlantic Provinces and Saskatchewan, have experienced rapid growth in the number of immigrants. The largest increases since 2006 have occurred in Prince Edward Island (158 per cent), Saskatchewan (77.5 per cent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (23 per cent). The territories have also experienced exponential growth, although the total number of immigrants destined to the territories still lags behind the rest of the country. As a result of these trends, new immigrants to Canada have been more evenly dispersed than in the past (Table 2). 1 Includes unknown categories. 3

7 Table 2. Distribution of Immigrants, by Province and Territory, Province/Territory No. % No. % No. % Newfoundland and Labrador % % % Prince Edward Island % % % Nova Scotia 2, % 2, % 2, % New Brunswick 1, % 1, % 1, % Quebec 44, % 45, % 45, % Ontario 125, % 111, % 110, % Manitoba 10, % 10, % 11, % Saskatchewan 2, % 3, % 4, % Alberta 20, % 20, % 24, % British Columbia 42, % 38, % 43, % Yukon % % % Northwest Territories % % % Nunavut 9 0.0% % % Total 251, % 236, % 247, % Source: CIC Microdata, Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. Immigration to Saskatchewan Saskatchewan has increased its appeal as a new immigrant destination. Approximately 3,000, or 63 per cent, of the 4,836 immigrants who landed in the province in 2008 were provincial nominees. Since 2006, immigration to Saskatchewan has jumped by 77.5 per cent. The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) has accounted for 94 per cent of this growth. Immigration through the other federal classes has remained relatively static over the past three years and is playing a minor role in Saskatchewan. In 2006, almost 65 per cent of all immigrants came under federal classes, by 2008 this proportion fell to 37 per cent (Figure 2). 4

8 Figure 2. Saskatchewan Landings, Federal Immigrants Provincial Nominees Total Immigrants Family Status In 2008, principal applicants made up 2,123 of the 4,836 landed immigrants in Saskatchewan (1,014 federal immigrants and 1,109 provincial nominees). The other 2,713 landed immigrants were spouses and dependents of the principal applicants. For every principal applicant, there were approximately 1.3 dependents (including spouses). The data by family status once again illustrates that over the past three years ( ) the number of federal immigrants has remained relatively constant, while provincial nominees have seen a significant increase (Table 3). Table 3. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Family Status, Family Status Fed Prov Total Fed Prov Total Fed Prov Total Principal Applicants , ,602 1,014 1,109 2,123 Spouses Dependents , ,227 1,758 Unknown Total 1, ,724 1,678 1,839 3,517 1,799 3,037 4,836 Source: CIC micro data. Note: 'Fed refers to immigrants under federal classes and 'Prov' refers to provincial nominees. 5

9 Gender There were slightly more male than female immigrants to Saskatchewan in 2008; but taken cumulatively the number of male (50.6 per cent) and female (49.4 per cent) immigrants that arrived in Saskatchewan were almost equivalent (Table 4) from 2006 to Table 4. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Gender, Gender No. % No. % No. % Male 1, % 1, % 2, % Female 1, % 1, % 2, % Total 2, % 3, % 4, % Source: CIC micro data. Note: In 2006, the gender of one immigrant is unknown. Age Immigrants to Saskatchewan tend to be young. In 2008, 28 per cent of immigrants were in the 0-14 age group and 71 per cent were in the working-age group (15-64 years). Table 5 presents a breakdown of the immigrant population by age group over the past three years. 6

10 Table 5. Distribution of Immigrants by Age Group Age Group No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years % % % 5-9 years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % years % % % 65+ years % % % Total 2, % 3, % 4, % Average Age Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. Source Region and Country of Citizenship The Asia/Pacific region was the largest source region (2,442 immigrants or 50.5 per cent of the total) from which immigrants to Saskatchewan arrived in Europe and the UK provided the second greatest number of Saskatchewan s immigrants, 1,097 immigrants or 22.7 per cent (Table 6). Between 2006 and 2008, the Asia/Pacific region has been Saskatchewan s main source for immigrants; at the same time, the relative importance of the United States and South and Central America has diminished. 7

11 Table 6. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source World Area, World Area No. % No. % No. % Asia & the Pacific 1, % 1, % 2, % Europe & the UK % % 1, % Africa & the Middle East % % % South & Central America % % % United States % % % Unknown Total 2, % 3, % 4, % Source: CIC micro data Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.. The Government of Saskatchewan is developing partnerships with specific countries to facilitate the organized and ethical recruitment of immigrant workers from those countries. For example, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of the Philippines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on December 18, 2006, to further the immigration of Filipino nationals. In 2007, the Philippines became the top source country for immigrants to Saskatchewan with 724 total immigrants, 618 of whom came through the SINP (Tables 7 and 8). In 2008, the trend continued with 24 per cent of all immigrants to Saskatchewan originating in the Philippines. The SINP nominated 981 Filipino nationals in 2008, which made up 32 per cent of total nominees. The SINP was also a popular immigration avenue for immigrants from China, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, India, Germany, South Korea, the United States, South Africa and Vietnam. As in 2007, the largest source country for the federal Refugee class was Myanmar (Burma) with 72 refugees landing in

12 Table 7. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source Country (Top 10), Source Country No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Philippines % % 1 1, % 1 China % % % 2 UK % % % 3 Ukraine % % 4 India % % % 5 Germany % 6 South Korea % % 7 USA % % % 8 South Africa % % % 9 Vietnam % 10 Myanmar (Burma) % % Serbia % % Colombia % Iran % Afghanistan Iraq Sudan Total 1, % - 2, % - 3, % - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. 9

13 Table 8. Provincial Nominees by Source Country (Top 10), Source No. % No. % No. % Country Rank Rank Rank Philippines % % % 1 China % % % 2 Ukraine % % % 3 UK % % % 4 Germany % % 5 South Korea % % % 6 South Africa % % % 7 India % % % 8 Vietnam % % 9 Russia % 10 Serbia % % Nigeria % USA % Zambia Romania Total % - 1, % - 2, % - Source: SINP Databank Destination in Saskatchewan Reflecting a nation-wide trend for immigrants to settle in medium and large urban centres, Saskatoon and Regina are the most popular destinations for immigrants to Saskatchewan, accounting for almost 70 per cent of the immigrant flow to the province in 2008 (Table 9). Over the past three years, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and Swift Current have also been popular destinations for immigrants to Saskatchewan, the latter mostly as a result of the SINP. Nominees are settling in communities with growing industries because the SINP nominates skilled workers after receiving permanent job offers from employers. 10

14 Table 9. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Community (Top 10), Destination No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Saskatoon 1, % 1 1, % 1 1, % 1 Regina % % 2 1, % 2 Moose Jaw % % % 3 Prince Albert % % % 4 Swift Current % % % 5 Lloydminister % 6 North Battleford % % % 7 Yorkton % % % 8 Leroy % 9 Gravelbourg % % 10 Tisdale % Warman % % Davidson % Oxbow % Estevan Bangor Total 2, % - 2, % - 4, % - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. 11

15 Table 10. Provincial Nominees by Community (Top 10), Destination No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Saskatoon % % 1 1, % 1 Regina % % % 2 Swift Current % % % 3 Lloydminister % 4 North Battleford % % % 5 Prince Albert % % 6 Leroy % 6 Moose Jaw % % % 8 Yorkton % % % 9 Tisdale * 2.7% Warman 50* 5.2% % Martensville % % Gravelbourg % % 10 Oxbow % Bangor Maidstone Star City Total 712* 74.2% - 1,477* 80.3% - 2, % - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. *This is an approximate value. The true value has been altered for privacy considerations. Occupations 2 (Ages 15+) Over the period , welders, truck drivers, and post secondary teaching and research assistants were the top 3-4 occupations of immigrants aged 15 years and older. Most of these newcomers were SINP nominees with job offers from Saskatchewan employers (Tables 11 and 12). Unlike SINP nominees, many federal immigrants do not have job offers in Saskatchewan upon landing as this is not a requirement of most federal streams. 2 The occupational data is based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system and reflects the education/training of immigrants. 12

16 Table 11. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Occupation (Top 10), Occupation No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Welders % % % 1 Truck Drivers % % % 2 Post-Secondary % % % 3 Teaching & Research Assistants Cooks % % % 4 Farm Supervisors and % % 5 Specialized Livestock Workers Physicians % % % 6 Babysitters, Nannies % % 7 & Parent s Helpers Motor Vehicle % % 8 Mechanics Registered Nurses % % 9 Financial Auditors and % 10 Accountants Labourers in Food, % Beverage & Tobacco Processing Farmers & Farm 20* 2.8% % Managers Elementary School & % Kindergarten Teachers University Professors % Ministers of Religion % Biologists Nursery & Greenhouse Operators and Managers Electrical and Electronics Engineers Total 385* 54.5% % % - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. *This is an approximate value. The true value has been altered for privacy considerations. 13

17 Table 12. Provincial Nominees by Occupation (Top 10), Occupation No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Welders % % % 1 Truck Drivers 85* 24.5% 1 70* 10.0% % 2 Cooks 10* 2.9% 8 30* 4.3% % 3 Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers % 6 20* 2.9% % 4 Physicians % % % 5 Motor Vehicle Mechanics 8 2.3% 8 15* 2.2% % 6 Registered Nurses % % 7 Financial Auditors and Accountants % 8 Carpenter % 9 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics % % 10 Labourers in Food, Beverage & Tobacco Processing % Elementary School & Kindergarten Teachers * 2.2% Farmers & Farm Managers % 4 10* 1.4% Machinists % University Professors 6 1.7% Nursery & Greenhouse Operators and Managers Agricultural Representatives, Consultants, and Specialists Total 260* 74.9% - 353* 50.9% % - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. *This is an approximate value. The true value has been altered for privacy considerations. 14

18 Skill Levels (Ages 15+) The majority of immigrants to Saskatchewan, aged 15 years and older, have trade/vocational training or university educations. A higher proportion of provincial nominees than federal immigrants have skills that fall in the category of skilled or technical skill levels. Although, traditionally, more federal immigrants than provincial nominees have university educations, there has been an increasing trend of professionals immigrating through Provincial Nominee Programs (Table 13). Table 13. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Skill Level (Ages 15+ ), Skill Level Prov Total % Prov Total % Prov Total % Managerial % % % Professionals % % % Skilled & Technical % % % Intermediate & Clerical % % % Elemental & Labourers 0 5* 0.2% 34 35* 1.4% % Unknown 343 1, % 590 1, % 1,026 2, % Grand Total 695 2,001* 100.0% 1,289 2,554* 100.0% 2,133 3, % Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. *This is an approximate value. The true value has been altered for privacy considerations. Note: % reflects the total Skill Level of all immigrants as a percentage of the total. Educational Levels (Ages 15+) A large percentage of Saskatchewan s immigrants have attained some degree of post-secondary education. More than 55 per cent of total immigrants have received a trade certificate, non-university diploma or university degree (Bachelor s, Master s or Doctorate), and almost half of those have attained a Bachelor s degree. Provincial nominees make up a significant proportion of total immigrants that arrive with trade certificates (Table 14). 15

19 Table 14. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Educational Level (Ages 15+), Educational Level Prov Total % Prov Total % Prov Total % 0-9 Years % % % Years % % % 13+ Years % % % Trade Certificate % % % Non-University Diploma % % % Bachelor s Degree % % % Master s Degree % % % Doctorate % % % Grand Total 695 1, % 1,287 2, % 2,133 3, % Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. *This is an approximate value. The true value has been altered for privacy considerations. Note: % reflects the total Education Level of all immigrants as a percentage of the total. Mother Tongues The mother tongue refers to immigrants first language and often indicates their country of birth or citizenship. In 2008, Tagalog surpassed English as the highest ranking mother tongue for immigrants to Saskatchewan due to the steadily increasing number of Filipino provincial nominees. The instance of German-speaking provincial nominees increased dramatically in the same year, while both Vietnamese and Punjabi were new additions to the top ten mother tongues for provincial nominees (Tables 15 and 16). 16

20 Table 15. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Mother Tongue (Top 10), Mother Tongue No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Tagalog % % % 1 English % % % 2 Mandarin % % % 3 German % 4 Russian % % 5 Ukrainian % % 6 Spanish % % % 7 Korean % % 8 Arabic % % 9 Chinese % % % 10 Burmese % % Other African % Dari % Afrikaans % Other European % Total (Top Ten) 1, % 2, % 3, % Total - All Immigrants 2, % 3, % 4, % Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. 17

21 Table 16. Provincial Nominees by Mother Tongue (Top 10), Mother Tongue No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Tagalog % % % 1 English % % % 2 German % % 3 Russian % % % 4 Ukrainian % % % 5 Mandarin % % % 6 Korean % % % 7 Vietnamese % 8 Other South East Asian % % 9 Punjabi % 10 Other European % % Afrikaans % % Spanish % % Total (Top Ten) % 1, % 2, % Total Provincial Nominees % 1, % 3, % Source: CIC micro data, Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. Official Language Ability Official language ability is self-declared by immigrants during their application process for permanent residence in Canada. In 2008, the percentage of total immigrants to Saskatchewan that spoke English rose from 56 to 59 per cent while the percentage of French-speakers dropped from 0.9 per cent in 2007 to 0.6 per cent in Compared to the statistics for total immigrants, which includes immigrants through federal classes, provincial nominees had a slightly greater number of English speakers in 2008 (almost 61 per cent) and slightly fewer French speakers (0.3 per cent). 18

22 Figure 3. Immigrants Official Language Ability, Figure 3. Official Language Ability of Immigrants, English French Both Neither Source: CIC micro data Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, English French Both Neither Source: CIC micro data 19