by: Gurmukh Singh, Press Trust of India
At least 24,560 new immigrants from India made Canada their home last year. This is the largest Indian immigration to any country in the world. According to Citizen and Immigration Canada's annual report, tabled in Parliament in Ottawa on Friday, the Indians, numbering 24,560 constituted about 11 per cent of the total 221,352 new immigrants into this country in 2003. Numbering 36,116, Chinese were the largest immigrant group and the Pakistanis second at 12,330. The Filipinos (11,978) were the third largest source of immigration in 2003. According to the report, Asia accounted for more than 51 per cent of the immigrants, Africa and Middle East 20 per cent and Europe 17 per cent. The immigrants come from as many as 214 countries around the world. Presenting the report, citizenship and immigration minister Judy Sgro set the target for 2005 between 220,000 and 245,000. "Our immigration plan for 2005 will help Canada's economy grow while promoting family reunification and refugee protection. Canada is one of a small number of countries to deliver a permanent immigration programme.
Immigrants continue to seek Canada as their home as a result of quality of life and the opportunities that our country provides," the minister said. Interestingly, about 5.4 million of the country's 31.4 million population are foreign-born, according to the 2001 census. Which means that almost every fifth Canadian is foreign-born. This compares well with Australia which has similar immigration policies and where foreign-born nationals account for 23 per cent of the population. About 73 per cent of the new immigrants into Canada settle mostly in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Further, figures show that about 55 per cent of all immigrants in 2003 fell under the economic class. Under this category, an immigrant should have assets worth $800,000. He should also invest $400,000 in Canada to get eligible for immigration. In fact, before the transfer of Hong Kong to China, a large number of people from the colony had sought Canadian immigration under the economic class. Not surprisingly, the Chinese are the most visible minority in this country. They constitute about 3 per cent of the population. Chinese is the third largest spoken language in Canada. And Ms Adrienne Clark, who is of Chinese descent, is Canada's governor-general today.
At least 24,560 new immigrants from India made Canada their home last year. This is the largest Indian immigration to any country in the world. According to Citizen and Immigration Canada's annual report, tabled in Parliament in Ottawa on Friday, the Indians, numbering 24,560 constituted about 11 per cent of the total 221,352 new immigrants into this country in 2003. Numbering 36,116, Chinese were the largest immigrant group and the Pakistanis second at 12,330. The Filipinos (11,978) were the third largest source of immigration in 2003. According to the report, Asia accounted for more than 51 per cent of the immigrants, Africa and Middle East 20 per cent and Europe 17 per cent. The immigrants come from as many as 214 countries around the world. Presenting the report, citizenship and immigration minister Judy Sgro set the target for 2005 between 220,000 and 245,000. "Our immigration plan for 2005 will help Canada's economy grow while promoting family reunification and refugee protection. Canada is one of a small number of countries to deliver a permanent immigration programme.
Immigrants continue to seek Canada as their home as a result of quality of life and the opportunities that our country provides," the minister said. Interestingly, about 5.4 million of the country's 31.4 million population are foreign-born, according to the 2001 census. Which means that almost every fifth Canadian is foreign-born. This compares well with Australia which has similar immigration policies and where foreign-born nationals account for 23 per cent of the population. About 73 per cent of the new immigrants into Canada settle mostly in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Further, figures show that about 55 per cent of all immigrants in 2003 fell under the economic class. Under this category, an immigrant should have assets worth $800,000. He should also invest $400,000 in Canada to get eligible for immigration. In fact, before the transfer of Hong Kong to China, a large number of people from the colony had sought Canadian immigration under the economic class. Not surprisingly, the Chinese are the most visible minority in this country. They constitute about 3 per cent of the population. Chinese is the third largest spoken language in Canada. And Ms Adrienne Clark, who is of Chinese descent, is Canada's governor-general today.
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