RBC study quantifies experiences of new Chinese immigrants
Having a good job is most important; followed by home ownership
TORONTO, September 24, 2007 — A new study from
RBC and Ipsos Reid shows a large majority (86 per cent) of
Chinese new immigrants are happy to be in Canada and hopeful
about their future (74 per cent), but slightly more than half
(55 per cent) feel they are still in the process of settling
into their new lives here.
"We initiated this study of immigrants who have been
in Canada 10 years or less because we have many customers
who have been through the immigration experience. We wanted
to develop a deeper understanding of that experience and learn
more about what makes newcomers feel settled into their new
lives," said Mark Whitmell, RBC's director, Cultural
Markets. "For instance, having a better appreciation
of how important something like home ownership is to people
going through this significant life transition, gives us a
better perspective on how we can hopefully help make that
goal happen faster."
Stages of settling in Canada
According to Chinese survey respondents, 19 per cent still
feel new to Canada, 55 per cent feel they are getting settled
and 25 per cent feel truly established. While length of time
living in Canada is a good indicator of feeling established,
this is not always the case. Seventeen per cent of Chinese
new immigrants who have been in Canada for less than three
years already feel he or she is truly established, while almost
one in ten (nine per cent) who has been here for five to ten
years still feels new to Canada.
"We have learned that regardless of a person's country
of origin, age or economic situation, most newcomers go through
a common immigration experience - from feeling new, to getting
settled, to becoming truly established," explained Mr.
Whitmell. "Each stage has a different focus and each
individual moves through those stages on their own unique
timeline."
Demographic Profile of Chinese New Immigrants
The RBC study shows the majority of Chinese new immigrants
are young with 82 per cent of them being between 25 and 49
years of age. This data is particularly relevant as only 47
per cent of Canadians overall are represented by people in
this age range. Chinese new immigrants also tend to be well
educated, with 59 per cent saying they have at least some
university education. Sixty per cent come to Canada as "skilled
workers"; followed by "family sponsored" (26
per cent); and "investor/business" (nine per cent).
Indicators of feeling settled
The top two indicators of feeling settled for all new immigrants
are having a good job and owning a home. For Chinese immigrants
who feel established in Canada, 43 per cent rank having a
good job as their number one indicator, while 29 per cent
say it is owning their own home. The third most popular indicator
is getting citizenship (six per cent).
For Chinese immigrants who do not feel settled, 50 per cent
rank having a good job as the primary signifier of being established,
while 15 per cent say owning a home. This was followed by
putting kids through school (eight per cent); and finishing
their own education (three per cent).
Attitudes towards life in Canada
When it comes to attitudes towards life in Canada, Chinese
new immigrants have mostly good things to say about their
experiences. Sixty-one per cent agree people make them feel
welcome, while half (52 per cent) say they feel connected
to people and activities outside their own ethnic or immigrant
community.
"The survey results also illuminate the challenges
of the immigration experience," added Mr. Whitmell. "Only
38 per cent of Chinese immigrants feel they are able to use
their skills to the best of their ability, which is disheartening.
It's indicators like these that truly make us stop and think
about the personal side of starting over in a new country.
Given the important role immigration plays in Canada's future,
helping newcomers achieve their settlement goals is really
a priority for all of us."
About the Survey Methodology
These are the findings of an RBC /Ipsos Reid survey conducted
between March 15 and April 30, 2007. The poll was based on
a randomly selected sample of 400 new Chinese immigrants who
are 18 years of age or older and have been in Canada for 10
years or less. With this sample size, the overall results
are considered ±4.9 percentage points, 19 time out
of 20, of what they would have been if all new immigrants
had been surveyed. The survey was conducted by telephone and
the interviews were held in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English.
The findings were weighted to reflect the actual regional
distribution and ethnic composition of new Canadians immigrating
to Canada within the past 10 years.
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Media Contact:
Judi Levita, (416)-974-8810
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