Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - October 2008
Canadians of South Asian and Chinese descent are likely to fare better economically than other ethnic groups, according to a new study conducted by Statistics Canada.
The study, released last week and based upon the 2006 census, compiled and compared salary data among different ethnic groups in Canada according to generations within the country. The data shows that immigrants, on average, earn less than their Canadian-born counterparts upon arrival.
However, the data also demonstrated that within certain ethnic groups, particularly Chinese and Japanese minorities, the average income dramatically increases over generations. Thus, the grandchildren of Chinese and Japanese immigrants usually earn more than the average Canadian.
Caribbean- and African-black as well as Latin American minorities stood out for demonstrating a decrease in income from the immigrant generation to their Canadian-born children, who on average earned less than their parents.
Cultural experts, such as Jack Jedwab of the Association for Canadian Studies, are saying that Canada must examine the reasons behind the earning discrepancies.
“Some [ethnic] groups are doing really well, and others are not,” said Jedwab. “We need to rethink the vertical mosaic and look at why mobility is weak among certain ethnic groups.”
Many are citing education levels as one possible explanation for the trend. Asian communities tend to value education very highly so that even if the immigrant does not hold a post-secondary degree, the children are often strongly encouraged to obtain one.
Source: The Globe and Mail
