SASKATCHEWAN STATISTICAL IMMIGRATION REPORT 2008 Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Immigration Services Division
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... 10 Occupations (Ages 15+ )... 12 Skill Levels (Ages 15+ )... 14 Educational Levels (Ages 15+ )... 15 Mother Tongues... 16 Official Language Ability... 18 ii
Tables and Figures Table 1. Immigrants to Canada by Federal Class and Percentages of Total, 2006-2008... 3 Table 2. Distribution of Immigrants, by Province and Territory, 2006-2008... 4 Table 3. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Family Status, 2006-2008... 5 Table 4. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Gender, 2006-2008... 6 Table 5. Distribution of Immigrants by Age Group... 7 Table 6. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source World Area, 2006-2008... 8 Table 7. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source Country (Top 10), 2006-2008... 9 Table 8. Provincial Nominees by Source Country (Top 10), 2006-2008... 10 Table 9. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Community (Top 10), 2006-2008... 11 Table 10. Provincial Nominees by Community (Top 10), 2006-2008... 12 Table 11. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Occupation (Top 10), 2006-2008... 13 Table 12. Provincial Nominees by Occupation (Top 10), 2006-2008... 14 Table 13. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Skill Level (Ages 15+ ), 2006-2008... 15 Table 14. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Educational Level (Ages 15+ ), 2006-2008... 16 Table 15. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Mother Tongue (Top 10), 2006-2008... 17 Table 16. Provincial Nominees by Mother Tongue (Top 10), 2006-2008... 17 Figure 1. Saskatchewan Immigrant Landings, 1999-2008... 2 Figure 2. Saskatchewan Landings, 2006-2008... 5 Figure 3. Official Language Ability of Immigrants, 2006-2008... 19 Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, 2006-2008... 19 iii
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 2006. 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
Figure 1. Saskatchewan Immigrant Landings, 1999-2008 Number of Immigrants % of Canadian total 6000 2.5% 5000 4000 2.0% 1.5% 3000 2000 1000 1.0% 0.5% 0 1999 2000 2001 Source: CIC, Facts and Figures 2008. 2002 2003 2004 2005 0.0% Immigration to Canada In 2008, Canada welcomed 247,243 new immigrants (principal applicants and dependents), an increase of four per cent compared to 2007. 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 (2006-2008) 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
Table 1. Immigrants to Canada by Federal Class and Percentages of Total, 2006-2008 No. % No. % No. % Family class 70,507 28% 66,230 28% 65,567 26.5% 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 251,643 100% 236,758 100% 247,243 100% Source: CIC Microdata, 2008. 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
Table 2. Distribution of Immigrants, by Province and Territory, 2006-2008 Province/Territory No. % No. % No. % Newfoundland and Labrador 508 0.2% 545 0.2% 627 0.3% Prince Edward Island 565 0.2% 992 0.4% 1456 0.6% Nova Scotia 2,586 1.0% 2,520 1.1% 2,651 1.1% New Brunswick 1,646 0.7% 1,643 0.7% 1,859 0.8% Quebec 44,681 17.8% 45,208 19.1% 45,212 18.3% Ontario 125,910 50.0% 111,312 47.0% 110,896 44.9% Manitoba 10,047 4.0% 10,955 4.6% 11,221 4.5% Saskatchewan 2,724 1.1% 3,517 1.5% 4,836 2.0% Alberta 20,716 8.2% 20,857 8.8% 24,195 9.8% British Columbia 42,084 16.7% 38,941 16.4% 43,950 17.8% Yukon 64 0.0% 86 0.0% 111 0.0% Northwest Territories 98 0.0% 88 0.0% 127 0.1% Nunavut 9 0.0% 19 0.0% 50 0.0% Total 251,643 100.0% 236,758 100.0% 247,243 100.0% Source: CIC Microdata, 2008. 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
Figure 2. Saskatchewan Landings, 2006-2008 6000 Federal Immigrants Provincial Nominees Total Immigrants 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0 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 (2006-2008) 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, 2006-2008 Family Status Fed Prov Total Fed Prov Total Fed Prov Total Principal Applicants 942 352 1,294 927 675 1,602 1,014 1,109 2,123 Spouses 258 222 480 238 415 653 242 676 918 Dependents 546 376 922 494 719 1,213 531 1,227 1,758 Unknown 18 10 28 19 30 49 12 25 37 Total 1,764 960 2,724 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
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 2008. Table 4. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Gender, 2006-2008 Gender No. % No. % No. % Male 1,418 52.1% 1,744 49.6% 2,430 50.2% Female 1,305 47.9% 1,773 50.4% 2,406 49.8% Total 2,723 100.0% 3,517 100.0% 4,836 100.0% 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
Table 5. Distribution of Immigrants by Age Group Age Group No. % No. % No. % 0-4 years 202 7.4% 267 7.6% 378 7.8% 5-9 years 256 9.4% 352 10.0% 491 10.2% 10-14 years 268 9.8% 342 9.7% 484 10.0% 15-19 years 213 7.8% 251 7.1% 360 7.4% 20-24 years 200 7.3% 257 7.3% 353 7.3% 25-29 years 359 13.2% 476 13.5% 642 13.3% 30-34 years 342 12.6% 448 12.7% 587 12.1% 35-39 years 314 11.5% 397 11.3% 556 11.5% 40-44 years 222 8.1% 313 8.9% 414 8.6% 45-49 years 148 5.4% 177 5.0% 284 5.9% 50-54 years 76 2.8% 112 3.2% 149 3.1% 55-59 years 48 1.8% 57 1.6% 59 1.2% 60-64 years 42 1.5% 26 0.7% 35 0.7% 65+ years 34 1.2% 42 1.2% 44 0.9% Total 2,724 100.0% 3,516 100.0% 4,836 100.0% Average Age 27.1 26.7 26.4 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 2008. 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
Table 6. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source World Area, 2006-2008 World Area No. % No. % No. % Asia & the Pacific 1,053 38.7% 1,711 48.6% 2,442 50.5% Europe & the UK 705 25.9% 841 23.9% 1,097 22.7% Africa & the Middle East 618 22.7% 646 18.4% 904 18.7% South & Central America 206 7.6% 186 5.3% 223 4.6% United States 142 5.2% 133 3.8% 170 3.5% Unknown - - - - - - Total 2,724 100.0% 3,517 100.0% 4,836 100.0% 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 2008. 8
Table 7. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Source Country (Top 10), 2006-2008 Source Country No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Philippines 214 7.9% 3 724 20.6% 1 1,176 24.3% 1 China 289 10.6% 2 320 9.1% 3 404 8.4% 2 UK 337 12.4% 1 321 9.1% 2 261 5.4% 3 Ukraine - - - 196 5.6% 5 240 5.0% 4 India 138 5.1% 6 110 3.1% 8 195 4.0% 5 Germany - - - - - - 162 3.4% 6 South Korea - - - 83 2.4% 10 155 3.2% 7 USA 142 5.2% 5 133 3.8% 6 155 3.2% 8 South Africa 116 4.3% 7 130 3.7% 7 146 3.0% 9 Vietnam - - - - - - 108 2.2% 10 Myanmar (Burma) 155 5.7% 4 245 7.0% 4 - - - Serbia 90 3.3% 9 110 3.1% 9 - - - Colombia 96 3.5% 8 - - - - - - Iran 83 3.0% 10 - - - - - - Afghanistan - - - - - - - - - Iraq - - - - - - - - - Sudan - - - - - - - - - Total 1,660 60.9% - 2,372 67.4% - 3,002 62.1% - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. 9
Table 8. Provincial Nominees by Source Country (Top 10), 2006-2008 Source No. % No. % No. % Country Rank Rank Rank Philippines 68 7.1% 5 618 33.6% 1 981 32.3% 1 China 82 8.5% 3 160 8.7% 4 231 7.6% 2 Ukraine 61 6.4% 6 177 9.6% 3 220 7.2% 3 UK 327 34.1% 1 303 16.5% 2 202 6.7% 4 Germany 28 2.9% 7 - - - 155 5.1% 5 South Korea 24 2.3% 8 45 2.4% 8 139 4.6% 6 South Africa 94 9.8% 2 110 6.0% 5 121 4.0% 7 India 22 2.3% 10 47 2.6% 7 97 3.2% 8 Vietnam - - - 39 2.1% 9 91 3.0% 9 Russia - - - - - - 77 2.5% 10 Serbia 81 8.4% 4 105 5.7% 6 - - - Nigeria - - - 32 1.7% 10 - - - USA 23 2.4% 9 - - - - - - Zambia - - - - - - - - - Romania - - - - - - - - - Total 810 84.4% - 1,636 89.0% - 2,314 76.2% - 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
Table 9. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Community (Top 10), 2006-2008 Destination No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Saskatoon 1,053 38.7% 1 1,558 44.3% 1 1,987 41.1% 1 Regina 810 29.7% 2 877 24.9% 2 1,390 28.7% 2 Moose Jaw 85 3.1% 4 85 2.4% 5 119 2.5% 3 Prince Albert 63 2.3% 5 118 3.4% 3 118 2.4% 4 Swift Current 26 1.0% 8 75 2.1% 6 116 2.4% 5 Lloydminister - - - - - - 99 2.0% 6 North Battleford 94 3.5% 3 115 3.3% 4 85 1.8% 7 Yorkton 39 1.4% 7 27 0.8% 9 71 1.5% 8 Leroy - - - - - - 56 1.2% 9 Gravelbourg 17 0.6% 10 - - - 26 0.5% 10 Tisdale - - - 50 1.4% 7 - - - Warman 52 1.9% 6 29 0.8% 8 - - - Davidson - - - 22 0.6% 10 - - - Oxbow 24 0.9% 9 - - - - - - Estevan - - - - - - - - - Bangor - - - - - - - - - Total 2,263 83.1% - 2,956 84.0% - 4,067 84.1% - Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to the total due to rounding. 11
Table 10. Provincial Nominees by Community (Top 10), 2006-2008 Destination No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Saskatoon 287 29.9% 1 713 38.8% 1 1,144 37.7% 1 Regina 173 18.0% 2 436 23.7% 2 859 28.3% 2 Swift Current 17 1.8% 7 54 2.9% 4 97 3.2% 3 Lloydminister - - - - - - 80 2.6% 4 North Battleford 78 8.1% 3 104 5.7% 3 70 2.3% 5 Prince Albert - - - 33 1.8% 6 56 1.8% 6 Leroy - - - - - - 56 1.8% 6 Moose Jaw 30 3.1% 6 20 1.1% 9 54 1.8% 8 Yorkton 31 3.2% 5 20 1.1% 8 50 1.6% 9 Tisdale - - - 50* 2.7% 5 - - - Warman 50* 5.2% 4 27 1.5% 7 - - - Martensville 14 1.5% 10 20 1.1% 10 - - - Gravelbourg 17 1.8% 7 - - - 24 0.8% 10 Oxbow 15 1.6% 9 - - - - - - Bangor - - - - - - - - - Maidstone - - - - - - - - - Star City - - - - - - - - - Total 712* 74.2% - 1,477* 80.3% - 2,490 82.0% - 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 2006-2008, 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
Table 11. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Occupation (Top 10), 2006-2008 Occupation No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Welders 61 8.6% 3 111 11.1% 1 137 9.4% 1 Truck Drivers 86 12.2% 1 70 7.0% 2 63 4.3% 2 Post-Secondary 78 11.0% 2 55 5.5% 4 54 3.7% 3 Teaching & Research Assistants Cooks 12 1.7% 10 29 2.9% 5 50 3.4% 4 Farm Supervisors and - - - 20 2.0% 7 48 3.3% 5 Specialized Livestock Workers Physicians 52 7.4% 4 56 5.6% 3 47 3.2% 6 Babysitters, Nannies 22 3.1% 5 - - - 41 2.8% 7 & Parent s Helpers Motor Vehicle - - - 17 1.7% 8 39 2.7% 8 Mechanics Registered Nurses 19 2.7% 7 - - - 33 2.3% 9 Financial Auditors and - - - - - - 31 2.1% 10 Accountants Labourers in Food, - - - 27 2.7% 6 - - - Beverage & Tobacco Processing Farmers & Farm 20* 2.8% 7 16 1.6% 9 - - - Managers Elementary School & - - - 16 1.6% 10 - - - Kindergarten Teachers University Professors 22 3.1% 5 - - - - - - Ministers of Religion 13 1.8% 9 - - - - - - Biologists - - - - - - - - - Nursery & - - - - - - - - - Greenhouse Operators and Managers Electrical and - - - - - - - - - Electronics Engineers Total 385* 54.5% - 417 41.6% - 543 37.2% - 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. 13
Table 12. Provincial Nominees by Occupation (Top 10), 2006-2008 Occupation No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Welders 61 17.6% 2 111 16.0% 1 136 12.3% 1 Truck Drivers 85* 24.5% 1 70* 10.0% 2 63 5.7% 2 Cooks 10* 2.9% 8 30* 4.3% 4 49 4.4% 3 Farm Supervisors and Specialized Livestock Workers 11 3.2% 6 20* 2.9% 6 48 4.3% 4 Physicians 40 11.5% 3 44 6.3% 3 39 3.5% 5 Motor Vehicle Mechanics 8 2.3% 8 15* 2.2% 7 37 3.3% 6 Registered Nurses 14 4.0% 5 - - - 30 2.7% 7 Financial Auditors and Accountants - - - - - - 28 2.5% 8 Carpenter - - - - - - 26 2.4% 9 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics - - - 11 1.6% 10 24 2.2% 10 Labourers in Food, Beverage & Tobacco Processing - - - 27 3.9% 5 - - - Elementary School & Kindergarten Teachers - - - 15* 2.2% 8 - - - Farmers & Farm Managers 15 4.3% 4 10* 1.4% 9 - - - Machinists 10 2.9% 7 - - - - - - University Professors 6 1.7% 10 - - - - - - Nursery & Greenhouse Operators and Managers - - - - - - - - - Agricultural Representatives, Consultants, and Specialists - - - - - - - - - Total 260* 74.9% - 353* 50.9% - 480 43.4% - 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
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+ ), 2006-2008 Skill Level Prov Total % Prov Total % Prov Total % Managerial 15 31 1.5% 39 55 2.2% 75 103 3.0% Professionals 92 337 16.8% 164 361 14.1% 274 453 13.0% Skilled & Technical 154 219 10.9% 349 420 16.4% 612 688 19.8% Intermediate & Clerical 91 126 6.3% 111 138 5.4% 121 181 5.2% Elemental & Labourers 0 5* 0.2% 34 35* 1.4% 25 29 0.8% Unknown 343 1,283 64.1% 590 1,545 60.5% 1,026 2,029 58.3% Grand Total 695 2,001* 100.0% 1,289 2,554* 100.0% 2,133 3,483 100.0% 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
Table 14. Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Educational Level (Ages 15+), 2006-2008 Educational Level Prov Total % Prov Total % Prov Total % 0-9 Years 64 371 18.6% 107 465 18.2% 191 516 14.8% 10-12 Years 210 445 22.3% 287 477 18.7% 443 684 19.6% 13+ Years 51 135 6.8% 79 152 5.9% 153 236 6.8% Trade Certificate 101 145 7.3% 164 218 8.5% 328 383 11.0% Non-University Diploma 101 213 10.7% 181 306 12.0% 281 420 12.1% Bachelor s Degree 117 427 21.4% 391 673 26.3% 618 925 26.6% Master s Degree 32 195 9.8% 60 215 8.4% 87 245 7.0% Doctorate 19 67 3.4% 18 49 1.9% 32 74 2.1% Grand Total 695 1,998 100.0 % 1,287 2,555 100.0 % 2,133 3,483 100.0 % 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
Table 15. Total Immigrants to Saskatchewan by Mother Tongue (Top 10), 2006-2008 Mother Tongue No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Tagalog 189 6.9% 2 596 17.0% 2 986 20.4% 1 English 592 21.7% 1 615 17.5% 1 668 13.8% 2 Mandarin 159 5.8% 4 218 6.2% 4 257 5.3% 3 German - - - - - - 251 5.2% 4 Russian - - - 82 2.3% 10 213 4.4% 5 Ukrainian - - - 159 4.5% 5 189 3.9% 6 Spanish 176 6.5% 3 147 4.2% 6 169 3.5% 7 Korean - - - 86 2.4% 9 154 3.2% 8 Arabic - - - 90 2.6% 7 129 2.7% 9 Chinese 128 4.7% 6 86 2.4% 8 128 2.6% 10 Burmese 150 5.5% 5 245 7.0% 3 - - - Other African 115 4.2% 7 - - - - - - Dari 72 2.6% 8 - - - - - - Afrikaans 66 2.4% 9 - - - - - - Other European 64 2.3% 10 - - - - - - Total (Top Ten) 1,711 62.8% 2,324 66.1% 3,144 65.0% Total - All Immigrants 2,724 100.0% 3,516 100.0% 4,836 100.0% Source: CIC micro data. Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. 17
Table 16. Provincial Nominees by Mother Tongue (Top 10), 2006-2008 Mother Tongue No. % Rank No. % Rank No. % Rank Tagalog 67 7.0% 3 509 27.7% 1 829 27.3% 1 English 383 39.9% 1 391 21.3% 2 393 12.9% 2 German 26 2.7% 7 - - - 242 8.0% 3 Russian 17 1.8% 10 54 2.9% 7 182 6.0% 4 Ukrainian 54 5.6% 5 145 7.9% 3 175 5.8% 5 Mandarin 70 7.3% 2 117 6.4% 4 162 5.3% 6 Korean 24 2.5% 8 47 2.6% 9 139 4.6% 7 Vietnamese - - - - - - 90 3.0% 8 Other South East Asian - - - 49 2.7% 8 64 2.1% 9 Punjabi - - - - - - 62 2.0% 10 Other European 64 6.7% 4 75 4.1% 5 - - - Afrikaans 54 5.6% 6 67 3.6% 6 - - - Spanish 23 2.4% 9 39 2.1% 10 - - - Total (Top Ten) 782 81.5% 1,493 81.3% 2,338 77.0% Total Provincial Nominees 960 100.0% 1,837 100.0% 3,037 100.0% Source: CIC micro data, 2008. 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 2008. 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
Figure 3. Immigrants Official Language Ability, 2006-2008 Figure 3. Official Language Ability of Immigrants, 2006-2008 3000 2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 English French Both Neither Source: CIC micro data Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, 2006-2008 Figure 4. Official Language Ability of Provincial Nominees, 2006-2008 2000 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 English French Both Neither Source: CIC micro data 19