Crime rate falls to lowest level since 1973

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Canada's crime rate is the lowest in nearly 40 years, according to Statistics Canada, as the volume of crime dropped five per cent in 2010 from the year before.

"The national crime rate has been falling steadily for the past 20 years and is now at its lowest level since 1973," Statistics Canada reported.

The agency said that Canadian police services reported nearly 2.1 million Criminal Code incidents in 2010, about 77,000 fewer than in 2009. The police-reported crime rate measures the overall volume of crime.

The Crime Severity Index, which measures the severity of crime, also fell six per cent and reached its lowest point (82.7) since 1998.

Police reported just over 437,000 violent incidents in 2010, about 7,200 fewer than in the previous year.

Fewer homicides

Homicides dropped by 10 per cent from 2009 to 2010 with the national rate of 1.62 homicides per 100,000 population the lowest since 1966. This decline was led by the decrease in British Columbia's homicide rate.

Attempted murders were also down from 2009, as were break-ins, motor vehicle theft, serious assaults, robbery and impaired driving.

But police reported an increase in sexual assaults, firearm-related offences, child pornography and drug offences.

Other findings:

• Alberta and British Columbia reported the largest declines in crime in 2010, with the crime rate falling by six per cent in both provinces.
• Nunavut and the Northwest Territories continued to report the highest Crime Severity Index values. Among the provinces, Saskatchewan reported the highest Crime Severity Index, followed by Manitoba and British Columbia. The lowest Crime Severity Index values were seen in Ontario, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
• St. John's had the largest increase in crime severity
• Regina reported the highest Crime Severity Index, followed by Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

Tough-on-crime agenda questioned

Simon Fraser University criminologist Neil Boyd said the figures undermine the federal Conservative's tough-on-crime agenda.

"They want to spend billions of dollars building prisons, saying that there is a real problem with crime. The truth of the matter, through police reported data and victimization surveys, is that crime is down — not up," said Boyd.

"Spending billions of dollars on prisons isn't going to make our communities any more safe," he said.

Related articles

• Canada's crime rate continues to fall (canada.com)
• Crime rate down across Canada (news.nationalpost.com)
• Crime rate at lowest level since 1973: StatsCan (ctv.ca)
• Crime rate fell again in 2010, at lowest level since 1973: StatsCan (thestar.com)
• Crime rate falls to lowest level since 1973 (cbc.ca)

Atlantic Canada Looks for Immigrants

Four provinces in Canada’s east coast, commonly known as the Atlantic Provinces, have launched major initiatives to boost immigration.

As part of the strategy, the Premiers (who are the elected leaders of the provinces in Canada) of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island (PEI) want to talk to Canada’s federal government about relaxing the cap on the so-called Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

The PNP allows individual provinces and territories to select their own immigrants based on the needs of that particular province or territory. The federal government, through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), together with a province or territory imposes a cap for every year for PNP immigration.

According to CIC, the national quota for PNP for this year is between 17,500 and 18,800 principle applicants.

But the PNP annual quota differs from province to province and some officials from the Atlantic provinces have been unhappy about that. They point out that New Brunswick, for example, has a population of 750,000 and is allocated a PNP cap of 625 every year while Manitoba, in the west, is allowed 5,000 under the PNP for a population of 1.2 million.

It is not clear, though, how many immigrants the four provinces want to bring under the PNP.

Attracting new immigrants has become critical for many of Canada’s provinces and territories. It is even more critical for the Atlantic provinces for four key reasons: keep population growing, keep pace with the developments in rest of Canada in terms of immigration, attract people with knowledge and attract fresh cash.

As one observer put it, the general population trend of Atlantic Canada is old, white and declining while in provinces like Ontario, British Columbia it is young, multicultural and growing.

Some of the provinces have already launched separate programs to boost immigration. For example, earlier this month, Nova Scotia launched an ambitious program to double its annual immigrant intake, to reach 7,200 immigrants by 2020, and part of the plan is to increase the PNP from the current 500 to 1,500.

One of the challenges faced by region is that many of the immigrants who move there do not remain there; they emigrate within Canada, mostly to major hubs such as Ontario or British Columbia after a few years.

But this might be changing. One study done by the St Mary’s University in Halifax, in Nova Scotia, found out that while 54 percent of the immigrants who had moved to the Atlantic region during the five years ending in 2001 were still in the region, this had gone up to 65 percent by 2006. Nova Scotia, in its new immigration strategy, plans to increase the retention rate to seventy percent.

Officials from the region say that immigrants generally fare better there, than in the major hubs. Some studies do show immigrants moving to the Atlantic provinces tend to get jobs appropriate to their professions faster and also earn more than immigrants moving to provinces such as Ontario.

Links to Atlantic Canadian Provincial Immigration Sites:

New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Newfoundland & Labrador

Prince Edward Island (PEI)

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Expenses in Canada: Taxes and other expenses.

Taxes in Canada Canadians enjoy many government-funded benefits, such as healthcare, education systems, interconnecting highways, clean drinking water and sanitation systems. Canadians pay a variety of taxes to the federal and provincial governments to support these benefits. Each year, you determine your final tax obligation. On the return, you list your income and deductions, calculate federal and provincial or territorial tax, and determine if you have a balance of tax owing for the year, or whether you are entitled to a refund of some or all of the tax that was deducted from your income during the year. Sales Taxes When you purchase an item or a service one or more types of tax may be added: Goods and Services Tax (GST) - A 5% federal tax applies to most goods and services sold in Canada. Provincial Sales Tax (PST) - With the exception of Alberta, the provinces also tax many new and used items (but not services). The rate varies by province. Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) - In Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the GST and PST are combined into a single tax - the HST. The HST is 13% (5% GST plus 8% PST) and is added to the cost of the goods or services for the final total price. Provincial/Territorial tax rates (combined chart)* Provinces/Territories Rate(s) Newfoundland and Labrador 7.7% on the first $31,061 of taxable income, + 12.8% on the next $31,060, + 15.5% on the amount over $62,121 Prince Edward Island 9.8% on the first $31,984 of taxable income, + 13.8% on the next $31,985, + 16.7% on the amount over $63,969 Nova Scotia 8.79% on the first $29,590 of taxable income, + 14.95% on the next $29,590, + 16.67% on the next $33,820 + 17.5% on the amount over $93,000 New Brunswick 10.12% on the first $35,707 of taxable income, + 15.48% on the next $35,708, + 16.8% on the next $44,690, + 17.95% on the amount over $116,105 Quebec Contact Revenu Québec Ontario 6.05% on the first $36,848 of taxable income, + 9.15% on the next $36,850, + 11.16% on the amount over $73,698 Manitoba 10.8% on the first $31,000 of taxable income, + 12.75% on the next $36,000, + 17.4% on the amount over $67,000 Saskatchewan 11% on the first $40,113 of taxable income, + 13% on the next $74,497, + 15% on the amount over $114,610 Alberta 10% of taxable income British Columbia 5.06% on the first $35,716 of taxable income, + 7.7% on the next $35,717, + 10.5% on the next $10,581, + 12.29% on the next $17,574, + 14.7% on the amount over $99,588 Yukon 7.04% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 9.68% on the next $38,832, + 11.44% on the next $48,600, + 12.76% on the amount over $126,264 Northwest Territories 5.9% on the first $36,885 of taxable income, + 8.6% on the next $36,887, + 12.2% on the next $46,164, + 14.05% on the amount over $119,936 Nunavut 4% on the first $38,832 of taxable income, + 7% on the next $38,832, + 9% on the next $48,600, + 11.5% on the amount over $126,264 * Source: http://www.cra.gc.ca as of September 18, 2009 Pay Deductions The following deductions are standard for all employees in Canada. The deductions are automatically taken out from your paycheck before you receive your pay. Income taxes Canada Pension Plan or Quebec Pension Plan Employment Insurance Union dues - if you belong to a union Contributions to a retirement or pension plan Any other necessary or agreed upon deductions between you and your employer The above deduction could reduce your pay by as much as 25% to 35% of your total income. Source:Going to Canada Transportation If you plan to live in a city and will not have a car, budget for public transportation. Public transportation in Canada is reliable and safe, and is reasonably priced. If you will be buying a motor vehicle, budget for gasoline, maintenance, and repairs and automobile insurance, along with the cost of the vehicle. Insurance Canadians purchase a number of different types of insurance. Some are required by law and some are purchased to provide financial security. Common types are: Automobile insurance (required to drive a vehicle) Property insurance (to protect your home and your belongings from theft or damage) Medical insurance (addition provincial health coverage) Life insurance (to protect your family if anything should happen to you) Creditor's insurance (to cover outstanding debts if you are unable to work)

Canada's population growth slows

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Canada's population rose slightly from the start of the year to April 1, with Alberta registering the fastest increase and Ontario reporting its slowest first-quarter growth in 15 years, according to Statistics Canada.

But while the national total hit 34,349,200, the growth in population was lower, at 70,800, than the increase of about 85,200 for the first quarter of 2010, the federal agency reported Wednesday.

The slowdown was mainly due to a decline in net migration — the difference between the number of arrivals and departures — in the first quarter of 2011, at 49,500 compared to 58,100 in the same period in 2010.

Jonathan Chagnon, a demographer with Statistics Canada and one of the authors of Wednesday's report, told CBC News that the country's population growth has been slowing the past few quarters, but warns that an accurate picture can only be reflected over the full year.

One factor that may be reflecting the first-quarter 2011 slowdown compared to the previous year's period is that from January to the end of March, 2010, Canada took in its highest number of immigrants in years. The 49,500 in this latest reporting period may just be a matter of the country moving to a more regular level, he added in an interview from Ottawa.

Alberta's population reached 3,758,200, an increase of about 15,500 compared to the year-earlier quarter, and the highest-quarter increase since 2006. But the province also had its lowest net migration, at 3,600, for a first quarter since 2004.

The only province in Atlantic Canada with a population increase was Prince Edward Island, by nearly 400 to 143,800. P.E.I. also welcomed the most immigrants (500), relative to its population, compared to the rest of Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador's population fell by 700 to 508,400 as of April 1, partly the result of 500 people moving to other provinces.

On April 1, Nova Scotia's population was estimated at 942,300, a drop of nearly 1,100 over Jan. 1, with about 1,000 people reportedly moving to other provinces.

New Brunswick’s population, estimated at 753,000, changed little in this year’s first quarter compared to the year-ago period.

Ontario's immigration levels dip

In Central Canada, Ontario had 28,400 new residents as of April 1, the lowest number since 1996, mainly because the province received only 20,100 immigrants, its lowest first-quarter level since 1998.

Part of the reason for Ontario's lower immigration levels may be that other provinces "are trying to attract more immigrants," Chagnon said.

Quebec’s population rose by 14,600 to 7,957,600, with only 900 people leaving to settle in other provinces, the lowest number since 2005.

Other first-quarter findings in other regions compared to the same year-ago period:

• Manitoba: Population increased by just over 2,700 to 1,246,400. Reported it’s highest inflow of immigrants since 1972, at 2,800 people.
• Saskatchewan: Population rose by about 1,900, to about 1,054,000.
• British Columbia: Population rose by 9,200, to about 4,563,300, the slowest increase for a first quarter since 2005.
• The three territories: Their population remained relatively unchanged. Yukon’s was estimated at 34,400, Northwest Territories at 43,500, Nunavut at 33,400.

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New immigration streams added to Provincial Nominee Program

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nnovation and Advanced Learning

The Government of Prince Edward Island is introducing new streams to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) which will continue to build on the programs successful record of attracting business people and skilled workers to immigrate and settle in Prince Edward Island, Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell says.

In recent years, our nominee programs have helped Prince Edward Island reach its highest ever level of immigration and have paved the way for thousands of people from around the world to explore new opportunities in our Island community, said Minister Campbell.

Equally impressive has been the significant contributions newcomers have made to Prince Edward Island by starting new businesses, purchasing homes and services, and overall contributions to enhancing our cultural diversity.

After a rigorous period of consultation with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, we are pleased to be moving forward with new nominee streams that meet federal immigration requirements and will create opportunities for entrepreneurship and community development for both newcomers and established Islanders.

Under the Provincial Nominee Program, the government of Prince Edward Island may nominate qualified foreign nationals seeking to move to Canada. The program will be limited to people who meet all federal immigration requirements, and have demonstrated a commitment to settling in Prince Edward Island as active employees or owners in Island businesses.

The revamped PEI PNP will include a Business Impact Category with three streams and a Labour Impact Category with four streams. Two streams within the Labour Impact Category will be new and include an International Student Stream (for recent graduates of Canadian Universities) and a pilot Critical Worker Stream (for lower-skilled workers where significant labour shortages exist).

The government of Prince Edward Island will immediately issue a Request for Proposals from individuals qualified to act as Island Agents in the Business Impact Category under the Provincial Nominee Program.

Under the new program, government will give priority to new Islanders wanting to own and operate businesses in strategic sectors including the provinces primary industries or in the four pillar sectors identified under the Island Prosperity Strategy: aerospace, bioscience, renewable energy and information technology. Priority will also be given to those wishing to own/establish businesses in rural Prince Edward Island. New Islanders have made a tremendous contribution to Prince Edward Island in recent years. Through the programs announced today, we expect to see more new Islanders have the opportunity to integrate into our province as business leaders and community members, said Minister Campbell.

Ongoing results of the Provincial Nominee Program will be published each year in the annual report of Island Investment Development Inc. The programs operations will be overseen by the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning and subject to review by Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Auditor General of Prince Edward Island.

For more information on the Provincial Nominee Program, visitwww.gov.pe.ca/immigration or call Immigration Services at (902) 620-3628.

BACKGROUNDER

Labour Impact Category

Skilled Worker Stream:

Prince Edward Island employers wishing to hire a potential new employee they have identified outside of Canada may do so through nomination via the Skilled Worker Stream. Those potential nominees who possesses the necessary skills and fall under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level O, A or B are eligible provided they have obtained a post-secondary degree/diploma and experience in the intended profession.

Critical Worker Stream:

Prince Edward Island employers that have hired a foreign worker may support that worker to obtain permanent residency in Canada through the Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Critical Worker Program. The Provincial Nominee Program helps to fill labour market shortages by enabling foreign workers to apply to become permanent residents.

International Graduate Stream:

The International Graduate Stream is employer-driven and provides the opportunity for Prince Edward Island employers to hire a recent graduate from a recognized accredited Canadian university or college. The international graduate must have a full-time job offer in the field of study under National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A or B which represents professional, managerial and skilled-trade positions. The international graduate must have a valid post graduation work permit with the Prince Edward Island employer the applicant is working for at the time of application and is expected to have worked a minimum of six months in the position before submitting an application for nomination.

Family Connection Stream:

The Family Connection Stream strives to identify applicants who will help to grow our economy, enrich our experiences and enhance cultural diversity. Family members who have been identified for possible nomination must have the ability to independently economically establish within the province. Under this stream, close family members (champions) in Prince Edward Island may serve in a supporting capacity to assist the applicant to integrate and settle in Prince Edward Island.

For specific program criteria, please visit: www.gov.pe.ca/immigration

Business Impact Category

100% Ownership Stream:

Business people are integral to the advancement of the Prince Edward Island economy. Prince Edward Island recognizes that this is still the fact and welcomes any capable individuals with entrepreneurial spirit to come to our province and help the progress continue. For foreign nationals, one avenue for entry into the province to showcase entrepreneurial ability is through the 100% Ownership Stream. As the name would suggest, this stream requires the applicant to obtain 100% control of a business through the outright purchase of an existing business or the start of a new business in Prince Edward Island.

Partial Ownership Stream:

The Partial Ownership Stream is designed for applicants who wish to transition into the Prince Edward Island business community by becoming a part owner in a business. The applicant must follow the step-by-step application process. If approved by Immigration Services, the applicant will receive a nomination from Prince Edward Island and will sign the necessary agreements. The applicant, amongst other conditions, must obtain 33 1/3% of the businesss equity or invest $1,000,000 CAD in the equity of the business and be active in the day-to-day management of the business.

Work Permit Stream:

Applicants may wish to transition in a more timely fashion to start a new life and business utilizing a work permit to enter Canada and begin the journey. The Work Permit Stream will allow applicants to come to Prince Edward Island and begin working and learning about the business they will be investing in prior to nomination by the Province of Prince Edward Island.

For specific program criteria or to get information on priority sectors or eligibility, please visit: www.gov.pe.ca/immigration

Media Contact: Ron Ryder

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P.E.I. business community opens arms to immigrants

Image via WikipediaBy Dave Steward on The Guardian
Prince Edward Island’s business community opened its arms on Wednesday to welcome more than 200 Chinese Islanders in the first-ever Chinese Islanders Business Summitt.
The summit was designed to give newcomers a chance to learn about operating a business in Canada and provide an opportunity for matchmaking between new Islanders from the Chinese-Canadian community and members of the established Island business community.
Sherry Huang, a business operator and president of the P.E.I. Chinese Association, said the transition for Chinese immigrants is much smoother now than it was when she arrived seven years ago.
“Prince Edward Island has a vibrant business community,’’ Huang said. “This is a great opportunity to meet and get to know opportunities.’’
Premier Robert Ghiz said one of the more exciting parts of the summit was the chance for everyone to network.
“By bringing together new Chinese Islanders with business people interested in selling or expanding their businesses we can open up the Island business environment to new participants and get new resources,’’ Ghiz said. “I do believe there are opportunities for our new Islanders to work with existing businesses here on Prince Edward Island.’’
Jamie Brown, who owns Brown’s Volkswagen, said he knows first-hand how valuable Chinese Islanders have been to the local economy.
Since purchasing the dealership six years ago, he’s doubled the number of new models each month on his lot and sales have skyrocketed.
“Why? Because of Chinese immigrants,’’ Brown said.
“There is absolutely no doubt in my mind our economy did not participate in the recession due to the dollars spent by our Chinese immigrants.’’
Brown said not only has the dealership set a new sales record every year but it has also tripled its market share. Brown even hired one of his customers after finding out the Chinese man was a factory-trained technician.
Mike May, with the Bank of Montreal in Charlottetown, said his branch has added the Chinese language to its automated teller machine, website and has hired two Chinese employees since 2010.
“And that led to a huge increase in traffic flow,’’ May said.
Craig Mackie, executive director of the P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada, said the numbers of Chinese immigrants and interest made an idea like a summit important.
“They’re looking for opportunities here and that’s why we set this up,’’ Mackie said

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New immigrant program for P.E.I.

Image via WikipediaThe P.E.I. government is finally set to announce a new Provincial Nominee Program.
Innovation Minister Allan Campbell said Tuesday there have been extensive discussions with Citizenship and Immigration over the fall and winter, and a new immigrant investors' program will be rolled out in about a month.
But, he said, there will be rule changes.
"The federal government has established a cap on the number of nominations that we can have here in the province for this year," Campbell said.
"They've established that number at 400, and we're obviously aspiring to hit those targets and hopefully see them increase."
The old PNP program allowed immigrants to invest $200,000 in a P.E.I. business and receive a Canadian visa. It ran from 2001 to 2008, attracting controversy when nearly 2,000 immigrants were pushed through in its final year.
Under the new rules, immigrants will have the choice of buying a one-third ownership in a company, or investing $1 million for five years as a loan.
Campbell said the precise rules to qualify are still being worked out, but some businesses are concerned they'll be too strict.
"I wouldn't say that it'll be tougher to access, but certainly the number of nominations that we'll see here will be lower," he said.
Provincial Opposition Leader Olive Crane spoke with federal Immigration Minister Jason Kenney last week during a trip to Ottawa about a new program for P.E.I.
"We all know what this government's record is in terms of administering the program, and we certainly will be looking forward to the details of who will be eligible and how they plan on managing it," she said.
One significant change is that farmers and fishermen will now be eligible under the program.
"We want to see investment in our primary sectors here in the province, and we hope, and we're confident that this program will do that," Campbell said.
The original program was plagued by controversy.
Government MLAs and senior civil servants took advantage of immigrant investment, and Citizenship and Immigration complained about the quality of companies approved for investment.
A 2009 report by the University of Prince Edward Island showed that of the 44 immigrant families that arrived in the province through the PNP in the last four months of 2006, only 11 were still on the Island 2½ years later — a retention rate of 25 per cent.
Many of the immigrants reported that they were unhappy with how they had been treated by the province.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/prince-edward-island/story/2011/02/08/pei-new-provincial-nominee-program.html#ixzz1DZMvJjYV

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Immigration helps Canada’s population grow as job prospects improve

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THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY CHARLES KELLY ON JANUARY 29, 2011
POSTED UNDER: NEWS

Canada’s population increased by an estimated 129,300 (1.5% quarter over quarter at annual rates) in the third quarter of 2010, thanks to a net inflow of international immigrants (+84,200).

After a dip in the second quarter of 2009, and with the recovery of the economy, Canada’s rate of population growth has steadily accelerated since the third quarter of 2009.

Canada’s population now stands at 34,238,000, just over half the UK population and around a tenth of similar sized neighbour the United States, which recorded 308 million people in 2010.

In fact Canada’s entire population is only slightly larger than the number of people living in the metropolitan areas of New York and Los Angeles.

Prince Edward Island recorded the fastest population growth in the third quarter (+2.8% q/q at annual rates). In the quarter, PEI’s population increased by 975 to 143,200.

British Columbia was the second fastest rate of population growth in the third quarter (+1.9%). Despite a slowdown in net interprovincial in-migration from 2,000 in Q2 to 600, the province’s population increased by 20,900 to 4,551,800 as a result of a net inflow of 10,300 international migrants and 5,600 non permanent residents.

A steady strengthening in employment in Central Canada relative to the rest of the country that started in mid-2009 and has persisted through 2010 is reducing the net outflow of migrants from both Ontario and Quebec to other provinces.

Ontario’s population increased in the third quarter by 1.8% to 13,268,600 due to a combination of sustained net international in-migration (+38,464) and net gain of 2,100 migrants from other provinces.

Quebec saw its population grow by 1.3% q/q annualized to 7,932,000 as a result of a 14,600 inflow of international migrants and no change in net interprovincial migration.

In Western Canada, Saskatchewan’s population growth of 1.6% outpaced Alberta and Manitoba both of which saw gains of 1.5% in the third quarter.

While the gain in population in all three provinces was supported by strong net inflows of international migrants, in Alberta almost two thirds of the increase was due to natural increase (i.e., births minus deaths).

Looking ahead at the prospects ahead, recent signs of stronger employment growth in Western Canadasuggest population growth in the West will accelerate vis-à-vis the rest of the country through 2011.

Source and figures: John Clinkard Daily Commercial News

John Clinkard has over 30 years’ experience as an economist in international, national and regional research and analysis with leading financial institutions and media outlets in Canada.

Canada is the largest country in the Western Hemisphere and second only to Russia is size. China, Brazil and the US have a similar land mass, but all have much larger populations.

Unlike many countries in the west, Canada has plenty of room to grow and needs lots of skilled workers to migrate to Canada.

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Immigrants staying in Atlantic Canada: study

Image via WikipediaNew research indicates immigrants are no longer using the Atlantic provinces merely as an entry point to Canada but are making the region a long-term home.
A study of Statistics Canada information at Saint Mary's University in Halifax found newcomers who settle in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island fare better than people who settle in traditional immigration hubs such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.
The East Coast immigrants are more likely to have work and earn more than recent immigrants in Ontario, the study found.
Dr. Ather Akbari, an economics professor at St. Mary's University who was involved in the research, said the Atlantic provinces are more likely to see immigrants who have been targeted for specific jobs, than immigrants who simply choose this part of Canada for a new life.
"People who come here, because they are intended to fill in specific jobs, chances are that they will get fair market value for their work, [better] than in other provinces."
The Atlantic provinces tend to recruit professionals to staff hospitals and similar high value positions, while immigrants who aren't targeted in this way tend to go to Ontario, primarily to join their families.

Good jobs means people stay

Once living on the East Coast and holding good jobs, an increasing number of immigrants decide to stick around rather than take the traditional path west, Akbari said. In fact, more immigrants are now trying Toronto first and then moving to Atlantic Canada than the reverse.
In 2001, about 54 per cent of immigrants who arrived in the Atlantic provinces in the previous five years were still in the region. This figure had risen to about 65 per cent by 2006, Akbari said.
At a meeting of the Association for New Canadians on Friday in Newfoundland, a class full of newcomers shared stories and discussed settling into a new country.
Natalia Volkozha moved to Canada from Israel with her family a decade ago. They tried to settle in Montreal, but it did not work out. She heard good stories about life in Newfoundland and so she and her family moved to the island.
Her background in education gave her a foot in the door as a daycare teacher. Eight years later, she is a few months away from completing her master's degree in education.
"We are planning to stay here," she said. "We are new homeowners so I have roots, growing roots here."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2011/01/23/ns-immigrants-staying-atlantic-canada.html#ixzz1ButkdqVu

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New arrivals push up immigration levels in Canada to their highest since 1971

Image via WikipediaMost of parts of Canada have recorded their highest immigration levels since figures began in their present form in 1971.
Data from Statistics Canada for the third quarter of 2010 put Canada’s population at 34,238,000, an increase of 129,300, some 0.4%, since July. During the third quarter, 84,200 immigrants arrived in Canada, 8,800 more than in the same quarter of 2009.
Despite the increase in immigration though, Canada’s third quarter population growth was only slightly higher than what was observed for the same quarter in 2009. The increase in immigration was partly offset by a decline in the net inflow of non-permanent residents.
The population of Newfoundland and Labrador was estimated at 509,200 on October 1, 2010. Despite a net gain ininternational migration, it was the only province to post a population decline in the third quarter.
Prince Edward Island had the nation’s highest third quarter growth rate. Its population increased by nearly 1,000, 0.7%, to 143,200. The increase was largely due to immigration, as the province received 1,200 immigrants, the highest number since 1971.
Nova Scotia’s population grew by 1,400, 0.1%, to 943,900. The increase was in part attributable to a net inflow of non-permanent residents, up 1,400.
New Brunswick’s population totalled 752,800 as of October 1, up by 1,100, 0.1%. The increase was primarily attributable to immigration, as the province received around 700 immigrants, the highest level observed since the second quarter of 1976.
Quebec’s population grew by 24,800, 0.3%, to 7,932,100 during the third quarter. The province received 16,800 immigrants, the highest level since 1971.
During the third quarter, Quebec’s net interprovincial migration was close to zero, meaning that its number of migrants coming from other parts of the country equalled the number of people leaving the province for another location in Canada. With only a few exceptions, Quebec usually experiences losses in its migration exchanges with the other provinces and territories.
Ontario’s population totalled 13,268,600 on October 1, 2010, an increase of 57,900, 0.4%. Net international migration, the most important factor in the province’s population growth, accounted for nearly 70% of Ontario’s third quarter population increase.
Manitoba’s population as of October 1, 2010 was estimated at 1,240,000, up by 4,600, 0.4%, and the growth was primarily attributable to net international migration, estimated at 4,100. Manitoba received nearly 4,700 immigrants in the third quarter, the highest level since 1971.
Saskatchewan’s population increased by 4,100, up by 0.4%, to reach 1,049,700 as of October 1. More than 60% of this growth was due to net international migration. Saskatchewan’s net interprovincial migration during the third quarter, which was slightly above zero, was much lower than in the same period in 2009.
Alberta’s population rose by 14,100. 0.4%, to 3,735,100 in the third quarter. Unlike the situation in other provinces where migration is the key factor of population growth, nearly 60% of Alberta’s growth was due to natural increase, a much higher proportion than in any other province.
British Columbia posted an increase of 20,900, 0.5%, in the third quarter as its population reached 4,551,900. The province received more than 13,200 immigrants in the third quarter, its highest level of immigration since the first quarter of 1997.
via http://www.expatforum.com/canada/new-arrivals-push-up
-immigration-levels-in-canada-to-their-highest-since-1971.html

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