RECENT IMMIGRANTS AND UNDERCLASS
POPULATION IN CANADIAN CITIES

Conceptual Idea

This project applied analytical methods, particularly multivariate techniques at evaluating the extent, direction and strength of association between factors that affect underclass population in relation to recent immigrants in three Canadian cities; Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto. While it is impossible for this analysis to embrace all variables that characterize an underclass population, an attempt was made to identify relevant factors that emphasize the association between of recent immigrant populations and an urban underclass.

The study does reveal patterns of recent immigrant attributes in Canadian cities that are consistent with earlier work by David Ley and Heather Smith. Recent immigrant traits trail identical trends in all three cities. However, distinct socio-economic factors have disparate impacts in different cities. The extent and strength of association of socio-economic factors relating to recent immigrants is, however, more carefully evaluated in this study as it accounts for the geographic scale of analysis.

The scale of census data has been investigated in the light of modifiable area unit problem (MAUP). While the project examined the results of ecological fallacy (or discrepancy in spatial distribution due to different area and scale of aggregation), the exact estimate of error incurred through such procedures have not being verified. Aggregation of census data at Census Tract (large area) and Dissemination Area (relatively small area) levels does unearth different spatial distribution and variability of the same data and that brings into question previous conclusions about the correlation between immigrants and urban underclass.

What is the Problem?

• The 2001 census data affirm two defining realities in Canada: urbanization and immigration (www.ccsd.ca)

• In terms of immigrant destinations, Vancouver and Toronto stand out in comparison with the rest of Canada (www.ccsd.ca).

• However, immigration being one of the most significant factors contributing to growth in Canada’s cities is an issue that has policy implications (www.ccsd.ca

What have Others Said About The Problem

• Current literature have identified strong correlation between poverty of Census Tract (CT) and the proportion of its population who are immigrants

• Immigrants are more likely than non–immigrants       to live in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty

• There is underclass of visible minorities, many of whom are recent immigrants, concentrated in racial enclaves of poverty (Semone K. and Laurel R. 2002)