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Toronto: A city of immigrants

Published on: October 11th, 2018

By: Rebecca Major

In the city of Toronto, immigrants are leading the way, making up nearly half of the entire population! Located in the province of Ontario, Canada’s most popular destination for new immigrants, Toronto stands strong as one of the most inviting Canadian cities for immigrants.

The Numbers: How many immigrants live in Toronto?

According to the 2016 census, the city of Toronto has a population of 2.7 million. Of this population, nearly 1.25 million are immigrants, making up 47% of the city’s population. Considering that Toronto remains one of the most popular destinations for new immigrants, it is likely that soon the immigrant population will exceed half of the total population.

The census data also shows that 15% of Toronto’s immigrant population has completed their immigration between the years of 2011-2016. Of those immigrants, the five most popular birth countries are the Philippines, China, India, Iran, and Pakistan.

Why is Toronto such a popular destination?

In terms of immigration, cities have always been a popular destination for new immigrants. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, top the list of destinations for new immigrants coming to Canada. Cities offer a range of employment opportunities, a host of newcomer and settlement services, and many cultural communities where immigrants can live in neighbourhoods near others from their cultural backgrounds.

Toronto, specifically, offers a unique opportunity for new immigrants. The city is hailed as Canada’s tech-hub, often being heralded as one of the most competitive tech-jobs markets in North America. Those looking for careers in software engineers, application development, and computer programming, will be hard pressed to find a better labour market than that of Toronto.

The city is well-known for its vibrant culture, offering cuisines and festivals which celebrate communities and customs from around the world. This, in addition to a number of different cultural communities, like Little Italy and Chinatown, makes Toronto a uniquely attractive option for many Canadian newcomers.

How to immigrate to Toronto?

The simplest way to immigrate to Toronto is through Canada’s Express Entry immigration system. This system provides speedy processing times for skilled workers looking to immigrate to Canada. Prospective immigrants who have already lived and worked in Canada are probably best suited for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) of Express Entry. Meanwhile, those living outside of Canada who have skilled work experience, are likely best suited for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program.

Another great option is the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) which is Ontario’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). This program offers specialized immigration pathways for French-speakers, entrepreneurs, graduates from Ontario universities, among others.

To find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration, simply complete our free assessment. A member of the Canadim Team will review your eligibility and contact you to discuss your options!

Sincerely,

The Canadim Team!

www.canadim.com