Immigration Matters to Canada
Indeed, immigration matters to Canada. Immigrants are helping to grow Canada’s future. Discover how immigration strengthens Canada. Learn more about the benefits of immigration to different sectors of the Canadian economy.
Immigration Matters to Canada’s healthcare sector
More than 1.6 million people work in Canada’s healthcare sector and many more will be needed in the coming years to ensure continued access to high-quality care. Almost 500,000 workers in the healthcare sector are over the age of 55, and most of these will be retiring in the next decade or so.
In addition, there are existing recruitment challenges from everywhere in Canada for nurses, residential care staff, and home healthcare staff. There’s a clear opportunity for immigrants to play an important role in ensuring there are enough people working in the healthcare sector.
“The sustainability and effectiveness of the Canadian health care system depend on an integrated and diverse workforce. We value the important contribution of immigrants to our health care system and welcome them to Canada!” Claire Betker, RN, MN, Ph.D., CCHN(C), President of the Canadian Nurses Association
Immigration Matters to Canada: Impact of immigration to Canada.
- Immigrants account for 1 out of every 4 healthcare sector workers.
- In Canada, immigrants make up
- 23% of registered nurses
- 35% of nurse aides and related occupations
- 37% of pharmacists
- 36% of physicians
- 39% of dentists
- 54% of dental technologists and related occupations.
- More than 40% of newcomers to Canada between 2011 and 2016 who were working in the healthcare sector were employed in the important areas of nursing and residential care facilities, as well as home healthcare services.
Projected shortages in the healthcare sector:
- Almost 500,000 workers are 55+ with many retiring in the next decade.
- Immigrants can help fill these important jobs.
All statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
Immigration Matters to Canada’s food services.
The food services sector is one of the top employers in Canada. There are 1.16 million employees in the sector, an increase of 9% since 2015. But the restaurant and other foodservice businesses still need workers.
As of September 2019, more than 67,000 jobs were unfilled, more than any other main sector of the Canadian economy. In 2019, more than half of Restaurants Canada’s members had trouble finding workers for “back-of-house” jobs (Restaurants Canada, 2019 employer survey). Immigrants will remain an important source of workers for this industry in the years ahead.
Impact of immigration
- More than 1 out of every 4 workers in the food and beverage sector are immigrants.
- The food and beverage sector employed 11% of all working immigrants who arrived here between 2011 and 2016, making it the top employer of recent immigrants in Canada.
- Across the country, immigrants make up more than half (53%) of business owners with paid staff in the food and beverage sector.
- New immigrants are helping to grow the food services sector. In 2016, more than 3,200 recent immigrants across the country owned a food or beverage business.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
Percentage of business owners** in the food and beverage sector who are immigrants
- Canada: 53%
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 40%
- Prince Edward Island: 22%
- Nova Scotia: 39%
- New Brunswick: 33%
- Quebec: 37%
- Ontario: 59%
- Manitoba: 53%
- Saskatchewan: 49%
- Alberta: 59%
- British Columbia: 61%
- Yukon: 29%
- Northwest Territories: 80%
- Nunavut: Data not applicable
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census
** Defined as self-employed persons with paid employees.
Immigration Matters to Canada’s in arts and culture
Canada is home to a vibrant and lucrative arts and culture sector. Canadian artists, musicians, actors, and authors are known around the world. Immigrants play an important role in helping this sector grow and flourish.
Impact of immigration
- There are more than 80,000 immigrants working in professional and technical occupations in arts and culture across the country.
- 1 in 4 people employed as an artisan or craftsperson in Canada is an immigrant.
- Over a quarter of theater, fashion, exhibit and other creative designers are immigrants (26% of the total).
- 29% of independent artists, writers, and performers are immigrants.
- Across the country, there are more than 3,000 businesses (defined as self-employed persons with paid employees) in the arts and culture sector owned by immigrants.
All statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
Percentage of immigrants in creative occupations
- Photographers: 22%
- Graphic designers and illustrators: 24%
- Painters, sculptors, and other visual artists: 24%
- Artisans and craftspersons: 25%
- Theater, fashion, exhibit, and other creative designers: 26%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census.
Immigration Matters to Canada’s science and technology
Because of its internationally recognized quality of life and post-secondary educational institutions, Canada attracts talent from around the world to help build the country’s economy and grow the science and technology sector. With an aging Canadian workforce and the need for more technology workers, there’s an opportunity for immigrants to make their mark in the field.
“Canada has an opportunity to be a country where the best talent from around the world can move here and do their life’s work as never before.”
Alexandra Clark, Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, Shopify
Impact of immigration
- 34% of people working in scientific research and development services across Canada are foreign-born.
- Nearly 500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
- Immigrants represent 24% of the national workforce but account for 39% of computer programmers, 41% of engineers, and more than 50% of all chemists.
- International students represent 12% of students in the country’s post-secondary education system but account for 27% of all students enrolled in mathematics, computer, and information sciences programs and 19% of all students in architecture, engineering, and related programs.
- Many international students enrolled in STEM fields will stay and build their careers in Canada, enhancing our capacity for innovation and helping us build a stronger economy for the future.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
Percentage of immigrants in STEM occupations
- Computer programmers: 39%
- Physicists and astronomers: 41%
- Engineers: 41%
- Software engineers and designers: 51%
- Chemists: 54%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census.
Nearly 500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
Percentage of immigrants in STEM occupations:
- Chemists – 54%
- Computer programmers – 39%
- Physicists and astronomers – 41%
- Engineers – 41%
- Software engineers and designers – 51%
International students account for
- 19% of all students in architecture, engineering, and related programs
- 27% of all students enrolled in math, computer, and information sciences programs
Many international students in STEM fields stay and work in Canada. They help us innovate and build our economy.
Visit: Canada.ca/immigration-matters
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census
Immigration Matters to Canada in business
The business sector in Canada employs more than 12 million people. Entrepreneurs are a very important part of the business sector and the Canadian economy as a whole. More than 2.7 million Canadians are self-employed, and more than 800,000 of them have paid employees.
These entrepreneurs ensure there’s competition and consumer choice for products and services in communities large and small from coast to coast to coast. As we look to the future, immigrant entrepreneurs and business leaders will have an important role to play in ensuring we have a growing and successful economy.
Impact of immigration
- Immigrants account for 33% of all business owners with paid staff, creating important local jobs in all sectors of our economy such as construction, professional services, health care, and retail trade.
- There are more than 600,000 self-employed immigrants across the country, and over 260,000 of them have paid employees.
- There are more than 47,000 immigrants in senior management roles across the country, including:
- over 15,000 in finance, communications, and business services sectors
- 12,000 in trade, broadcasting, and other services, and
- more than 12,000 in construction, transportation, production, and utilities
- The percentage of business owners (self-employed persons with paid staff) who are immigrants, by sector:
- Software publishers: 30%
- Dentists’ offices: 36%
- Data processing, hosting, and services: 40%
- Restaurants: 50%
- Computer systems design and services: 51%
- Grocery stores: 53%
- Truck transportation: 56%
All statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
1 in 3 business owners with paid staff is an immigrant.
600,000+ self-employed immigrants across the country
260,000+ of them have paid employees
Percentage of business owners who are immigrants, by sector:
- 50% Restaurants
- 51% Computer systems design and services
- 53% of Grocery stores
- 56% Truck transportation
Immigrant entrepreneurs and business leaders play an important role in ensuring that Canada has a growing and successful economy.
Visit: Canada.ca/immigration-matters
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census
Immigration Matters to Canada in sports
How we practice sports in Canada today is influenced by a number of factors, including our 4 seasons, and our geographic and social diversity. For example, lacrosse, our national summer sport, has been played by Indigenous peoples for close to 1000 years.
Hockey, our national winter sport, was invented in Canada in the 1800s. Basketball was invented by Canadian Dr. James Naismith in 1891 to condition young athletes during the winter. Our sports system allows people from all segments of Canadian society to get involved in sports activities at all levels and in all forms of participation.
“Football – like citizenship – is the ultimate team game. It requires people of every size, strength, and skill set to work together as a team to achieve great things. [Canada’s] new citizens, and our players, are part of a proud history that has made our league and country stronger.” Randy Ambrosie, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League.
Impact of immigration
- There are more than 2,800 immigrants working as athletes, coaches, officials, and referees across the country.
- Immigrants make up 20% of all people working in Canada as sports coaches.
- There are more than 16,000 immigrants who earn their living as program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness.
All statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census.
Number of immigrants in sports-related occupations
- Recreation, sports, and fitness program and service directors: 1,595
- Athletes, coaches, officials, and referees: 2,855
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport, and fitness: 16,075
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census.
Immigration Matters to Canada’s in philanthropy
The 2020 U.S. News and World Report ranked Canada #1 in the world for quality of life in 2019 and 2020. Our charities and non-profits play a crucial role in supporting this high quality of life. Canada’s 170,000 registered charities and non-profits employ about 2 million people (Imagine Canada, 30 Years of Giving in Canada, 2018).
Thirteen million Canadian volunteers give their time and a portion of their income to support worthy causes in the charitable sector. Nearly 1 in 4 workers in social advocacy, civic, social, and giving-related organizations is over 55 and will be retiring in the near future. Newcomers are an important source of workers to ensure the charitable sector continues to thrive across the country.
Impact of immigration
- More than 1 in 4 people employed in the social assistance sector were born outside of Canada, as were nearly 1 in 5 working in social advocacy, civic, social, and giving-related organizations.
- Between 2006 and 2016 there was a 58% increase in the number of foreign-born social and community service workers.
- Newcomers are also giving back. On average, immigrants donate more to charity than Canadian-born citizens.
- When asked why they make financial donations, immigrants said the top 3 reasons were: compassion towards people in need; personally, believing in the cause of the charity; and making a contribution to the community.
- Hundreds of thousands of immigrants volunteer their time to charitable causes across the country each year.
- In fact, nearly 40% of immigrants aged 15 and older are volunteers. On average, these people will volunteer 162 hours each year.
Unless otherwise noted, all statistics are from the Statistics Canada 2016 Census or Statistics Canada, Giving and volunteering among Canada’s immigrants, 2012.
Increase in the number of immigrants employed in social services and charitable organizations (between 2006 and 2016)
Increase in the number of immigrants employed in social services and charitable organizations (between 2006 and 2016)
- Canada: 39%
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 183%
- Prince Edward Island: 35%
- Nova Scotia: 43%
- New Brunswick: 50%
- Quebec: 74%
- Ontario: 17%
- Manitoba: 118%
- Saskatchewan: 148%
- Alberta: 75%
- British Columbia: 23%
- Yukon: 7%
- Northwest Territories: 93%
- Nunavut: 267%
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census
Immigration Matters to Canada’s philanthropy sector
Nearly 40% of immigrants aged 15+ are volunteers.
Between 2006 and 2016, there was a 58% increase in the number of foreign-born social and community service workers.
Nearly 1 in 5 people working in social advocacy, civic, social, and giving-related organizations were born outside of Canada.
Nearly 25% of workers in these organizations are 55+ and can retire soon. Immigrants are an important source of workers for the sector.
Visit: Canada.ca/immigration-matters
Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census
Immigration Matters to Canada. Optimize your chances of success!
If you have any further questions about immigrating to Canada now or in the near future, reach out to Chugo Immigration Services for professional guidance. Contact Chugo Immigration Services at 1 403 836 1861 (WhatsApp) or book a Book Consultation for more information on how to apply and to find out if you are eligible.
Immigration Matters to Canada, so optimize your chances of success with all aspects of Immigrating to Canada. Have a discussion with Chugo Immigration Services!
What are your other options for Canadian Immigration?
Let us help you to navigate any of the following pathways to Canadian Immigration:
- Provincial Nominee Program
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Canadian Experience Class
- Humanitarian and Compassionate
- Study to Immigrate
- Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program
- How to Become a Canadian Citizen: Applying for Canadian Citizenship
- Family Sponsorship
- Spousal Sponsorship
- Express Entry
- Federal Skilled Workers Program
- Caregivers
- Canada Business Immigration Programs
- Refugee and Asylum
- Visa rejections and Appeals
Chugo Immigration Service is authorized to offer Canadian Immigration and Citizenship services under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The Principal Consultant, Pius Chukwuma Ekwulugo, RCIC, is a member in good standing of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and has helped many foreigners to start a new life in Canada. We will help you too!
Contact Chugo Immigration Services at 1 403 836 1861 (WhatsApp) or book a Book Consultation for more information on how to apply and to find out if you are eligible.
