A key indicator of social integration, sense of national identity, and acceptability in Canada is the sense of belonging, particularly among immigrants. According to Statistics Canada’s 2020 General Social Survey (GSS), immigrants are more likely to report feeling a strong connection to their new home in certain Canadian regions and territories. The survey’s results show that immigrants in Ontario and the Atlantic Canadian provinces, such as Nova Scotia (NS), Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), and New Brunswick (NB), are particularly likely to express a strong sense of belonging to Canada. The chance of immigrants feeling this strong affinity to the country, on the other hand, tends to be lower when they settle in British Columbia and Alberta.
The 2020 GSS results will be thoroughly examined in the sections that follow. We’ll also look at the causes of the regional differences in immigrants’ sense of belonging in Canada that have been noted.
Which elements shape the feeling of belonging for immigrants?
In Canada, immigrants primarily build their sense of identity based on post-immigration experiences that provide affirmation from their surroundings, such as emotions of acceptance and possibilities for achievement. The results of this poll further suggest that the following may also contribute to “inter-provincial differences” in immigrants’ sense of belonging:
Sociodemographics of immigrants
Numerous sociodemographic factors can influence an immigrant’s sense of belonging in Canada. These factors include the time since their immigration, their age at the time of their arrival in Canada, and the category under which they were admitted for immigration. As well as the particular immigrant demographic group to which they belong.
Immigrant communities in various provinces have variable sociodemographic features as a result of the changing patterns of immigrant settlement over time. These compositional variances may impact the understanding of variations in immigrants’ emotions of belonging to Canada across provinces.
Demographic structure of immigrants in respective regions
In addition to sociodemographic parameters, “immigrant composition” also refers to a number of important variables. Recent immigrants make up a different percentage of the total population in each province in Canada.
Taking 2021 as an example, “the share of recent immigrants ranged from 14% of immigrants in British Columbia and Ontario to 30% (or more) of immigrants residing in Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces.”
This poll significantly reveals that the region’s immigrant population greatly influences immigrants’ sense of belonging to Canada. This is due to the fact that these attitudes are “weaker among recent immigrants than among longer-term immigrants.” This suggests that immigrants’ sense of belonging to Canada often grows with time, according to the survey’s authors. The regional average for immigrant sense of belonging may therefore be stronger in areas with a higher percentage of long-term immigrants.
Perceptions of inclusion/experiences of discrimination
Different ethnic groups’ diversity within the immigrant community and their variation in size across different regions might lead to varied feelings of inclusion and exclusion. Discrimination exerts a significant influence on the likelihood that an immigrant will feel a strong sense of belonging in their chosen province. While some immigrants encounter exclusionary experiences, their community accepts others.
Variation in structural factors across provinces
Between Canadian provinces, there is a wide variation in what this poll refers to as “structural factors.” These elements include the availability of career possibilities, educational chances, and economic diversity, all of which contribute to the integration and assimilation of immigrants.
In plainer terms, one factor that frequently adds to an immigrant’s sense of belonging in their new surroundings is the belief that one can contribute financially to the new society and assure the financial security of themselves and their children.
The term “structural factors” also refers to socioeconomic conditions in the provinces, such as the median household income and the unemployment rate.
Findings from the 2020 general social survey
StatsCan’s 2020 General Social Survey (GSS) finds substantial differences in the perceived sense of belonging among immigrants in Canada. The earlier-mentioned elements can partly explain these variances. Based on their province of residency, the following table shows the percentage expressing the likelihood that immigrants will report having a very strong sense of belonging to Canada.
