According to the 2006 census, whose data was released last week, 68.9% of recently arrived permanent resident immigrants chose these cities. However, this is less than 73% in 2001 and 74% in 1999. These three cities, which are the largest in Canada, are home to almost a quarter of the country’s population.
Toronto became the most popular among immigrants – four out of ten chose it to live in. About 2.3 million residents of Toronto, according to data obtained in 2006, were born outside Canada, which is the highest percentage among all large cities in the country. Currently, immigrants make up 45.7% of the city and suburbs population (in 2001 it was 43.1%).
According to the data, Montreal became the second most popular among immigrants who arrived last year. In 2006, there were 740,000 residents who were born outside the country (this is the third highest indicator in Canada). Since 2001, population growth from immigrants has exceeded growth from Canadians by nine times. Naturally, 60% of arrivals in Montreal come from French-speaking countries such as Algeria, Morocco, and also from Romania.
In Vancouver, the percentage of residents born outside Canada is the second highest in the country, at 39.6%. According to the 2006 census, 831,000 immigrants live in this city. In 2001, their number was only 92,700 people.
Recently, the number of immigrants arriving for permanent residence in less populated cities has increased significantly. In 2006, 16.6% of immigrants settled in Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, and London, Ontario. In 2001, that figure was 14.3%.