Study shows growing poverty amongst immigrants to Canada

A government study of immigrants to Canada is expressing concern that increasing poverty amongst incomers may explode into street protests.

According to figures released in the latest Canadian Labour Market Report, over 36 per cent of recent immigrants are living in poverty. The report noted that the figure, related to those living in the country for up to five years, shows an 11 per cent increase over the 1980s figures.

The study, run by the University of Toronto’s Morley Gunderson and Peter Dumgan and York University’s Tony Fang, states that poverty amongst recent immigrants may ultimately lead to major social discontent. The problem, they say, is that those attracted to Canada by the points system for education and skills are increasingly resentful that their credentials are not being recognised by employers.

The survey also indicated the possibility of negative reactions from local workers about the constant flow of incomers. The authors are envisaging a ‘perfect storm’ brewed by a combination of failure of economic assimilation by new arrivals and the perceived effect of immigration on jobs and wages in the country’s labour market.

On the positive side, the survey concluded that the high immigration rate in Canada can only benefit the economy in the long term. However, the disturbing analysis also highlights the emergence of a dual immigration picture of economic struggle and extreme financial success.

A Bank of Montreal survey recently revealed that 48 per cent of Canada’s millionaires either had an immigrant parent or were themselves born outside the country. Migrants who arrive in Canada at over the age of 50 are considered to be at the most risk of falling between the cracks in comparison with their native-born peers.