Immigration Insights: Top Source Countries to Canada

Canada is known for being a diverse and welcoming country that attracts immigrants worldwide. While Canada accepts eligible individuals from any country, some nations stand out. According to the CICC, India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria are currently the top four source countries for immigration to Canada. This article delves into the reasons behind their migration, challenges in their home countries, and Canada's motivations for accepting large numbers of immigrants from these nations. It's important to remember that this is a complex topic with many factors at play. Additionally, this article includes a generalization of the daily experiences of many individuals within a nation. Individual experiences may differ significantly from the average.

Life in Canada’s Top Source Countries

Learning about the daily experiences in India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria is crucial to understanding people’s immigration decisions. All four countries display significant differences in socioeconomic status and urban versus rural areas in terms of modernization, economic opportunities, lifestyle, access to healthcare, technology, infrastructure, and more. People in all four countries highly value family, often live in extended families, respect their elders, and value a strong sense of community and support.

India

With over 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is currently the most populous country and one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide. It is well-known for its religious, ethnic and cultural diversity and boasts 2000 ethnic groups and 780 languages. Its most prominent religions are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. Festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Eid, and Christmas are widely celebrated, and Indian culture is warm and welcoming. Society is characterized by social hierarchies such as caste, which can influence social life and opportunities. Life in India combines traditional values, modern aspirations, and a rich history and spiritual heritage. Many Indians work in manufacturing, agriculture, services, and, increasingly, in the IT sector. Although India has substantially reduced poverty, it is still a significant challenge and economic inequality is prevalent. India also faces gender inequality, air and water pollution, inter-religious or caste-related violence, and a high population density.

China

Ancient traditions, connections to historical and cultural heritage such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, and rapid modernization characterize life in China. Confucian values often influence social life, emphasizing respect, hierarchy, and harmony. Widely celebrated festivals include the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Many Chinese people work in manufacturing, services, agriculture, and increasingly in technology sectors. However, a widening wealth gap presents challenges, and environmental pollution, coupled with restrictions on freedom of speech, contributes to the desire among some individuals to seek a more democratic society abroad.

The Philippines

The Philippines' rich cultural heritage is characterized by indigenous traditions, Spanish colonization, and American influences. This diverse combination is reflected in the country's festivals, music, dance, and cuisine. Most Filipinos are Catholic and celebrate festivals such as Christmas, Holy Week, and local fiestas. Filipinos are often described as warm, friendly, resilient, optimistic, and adaptable. They are known to have a strong sense of identity, great respect for their elders and a strong sense of community and support. Many people work in agriculture, fishing, services, manufacturing, and the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. Despite economic growth, poverty and income inequality remain challenges, prompting many Filipinos to migrate for better prospects and stability.

Nigeria

Nigeria is characterized by its rich cultural diversity, with over 250 ethnic groups with their own languages, traditions, and customs. Nigeria is a religious country, with Islam and Christianity being the predominant faiths. Major events, such as Independence Day and religious holidays like Eid and Christmas, play an essential part in the lives of Nigerians. Social life is influenced by ethnicity, religion, and community affiliations. Many Nigerians work in agriculture, trade, and services. Others work in the oil and gas, telecommunications, finance, and informal sectors. Cultural pride and a growing entrepreneurial spirit are other notable aspects of Nigeria, especially in its cities. Despite its oil wealth, the country grapples with political instability, corruption, terrorism, armed conflicts, and widespread poverty and income inequality. Limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities drives some Nigerians to seek a better life abroad.

Common Reasons for Immigration to Canada

Although India, China, The Philippines and Nigeria are profoundly different in many ways, there are some shared reasons many people consider when deciding to leave their home country and start building a new life in Canada.

Economy and Quality of Life

Canada has a strong economy with a high demand for skilled workers in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, education, and engineering. Many immigrants move to Canada for increased economic opportunities, including better job prospects and comparatively high wages. Although India and China have experienced rapid economic growth, income inequality remains significant. Nigeria and the Philippines face corruption and political instability, complicating economic prospects. Consequently, many individuals seek better opportunities outside their home countries. Canada’s strong economy is closely connected to an overall high quality of life, and Canada ranks high in global happiness and human development indices such as the OECD Better Life Index. An excellent healthcare system, environmental quality, political stability and safety, social connections, and overall life satisfaction are important factors that influence the quality of life in Canada.

Educational Aspirations and Opportunities

Higher education is valued in all four countries, with intense competition for spots in prestigious institutions. Canada’s world-class and comparatively affordable post-secondary education is a significant reason for many prospective international students to move to Canada, many of whom aspire to stay permanently. Since Canada offers several opportunities for eligible international students to work in Canada during and after their studies and eventually become permanent residents, the country has become an increasingly popular destination. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) may also encourage individuals to apply by expediting Study Permit applications for students from select countries, including India, China, and the Philippines. According to Forbes, international student enrollment rose by nearly 52% at Canadian universities between 2016 and 2019.

Political Instability and Safety Concerns

Political instability in countries like Nigeria, marked by terrorism and conflict, pushes many to seek safety elsewhere. In China, government restrictions on free speech and control over daily life motivate some individuals to migrate for greater political freedom.

Welcoming Immigration Policies

Even though the Canadian Government is currently trying to reduce the number of temporary residents in the country, living and settling in Canada as an immigrant is still significantly more accessible than, for example, in the United States, where the process of gaining H-1B status or permanent residence is exceptionally lengthy and challenging. In contrast, Canada offers many relatively quick immigration pathways and programs for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and students, like the Express Entry System, Provincial Nominee Programs, and the Global Talent Stream.

Cultural Diversity, Community Support, and Family Reunification

Many choose Canada as their destination because of its cultural diversity and inclusivity. This not only makes for a welcoming culture with relatively little discrimination, but the presence of different ethnic and cultural communities can make it easier to integrate and find a network of like-minded people. Others already have family or friends living in Canada with whom they wish to reunify.

Language Compatibility

With English and French as its official languages, Canada is more accessible for immigrants from countries where English is spoken, such as India, the Philippines, and Nigeria. This language compatibility eases the transition into Canadian society.

Demographics and Population Size

India and China, as the most populous countries globally, have a larger pool of potential immigrants to Canada. They also struggle with overpopulation and strain on essential services, which increases the demand for immigration to Canada in those countries. Nigeria, with its rapidly growing population, also contributes significantly to immigration trends, while the Philippines has a long history of labour migration to Canada.

Why Does Canada Welcome Large Numbers of Immigrants from These Countries?

Within the past two decades, Canada has seen a substantial increase in immigration from India, China, the Philippines, and Nigeria. This is partially due to Canada's favourable immigration policies and the high demand from these populous and rapidly growing nations. Canada reaps numerous benefits by welcoming immigrants from its four top source countries. Its decision to accept large numbers of immigrants from these nations is driven by a combination of demographic, economic, and cultural factors.

First of all, these countries' large, educated populations possess skills that align well with Canada’s labour market needsand can contribute to Canada’s economic growth. Many applicants meet Canada's immigration criteria regarding age, financial stability, education, language skills, and work experience. They fill critical labour shortages, drive innovation, and enhance the economy’s diversity.

Immigration from these populous countries also sustains Canada’s population growth, ensuring a stable workforce and supporting economic development, which is essential in addressing the challenges of an aging population and labour shortages in key industries. Immigration helps address these challenges by bringing in young, skilled workers who contribute to the economy. Finally, immigrants' cultural diversity enriches Canadian society, fostering greater understanding and global connections. This diversity enhances Canada’s social fabric, making it a more diverse, inclusive, and globally connected nation.

Upcoming Changes

Until recently, most temporary resident programs, such as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and the International Student Program, were unrestricted. However, many immigration policy changes aimed at reducing the number of temporary residents, such as the International Student Cap, are underway, and they are likely to impact Canada's immigration landscape in the future.

The Immigration Practitioner Centre

Ashton College’s Immigration Practitioner Centre (IPC) is your resource for staying current with the latest developments in the Canadian immigration field. We help ensure practitioners can provide their clients with the best possible and most up-to-date services. For example, we offer our certificate immigration law courses that provide attendees with practical training and are pre-approved for varying CPD hours by the CICC. The IPC also offers monthly CPD seminars via live stream to provide licensed Immigration Practitioners with a high-quality education and fulfil their CPD requirements. Learn more about our mission and our various courses and seminars: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/immigration-practitioner-centre/