International Migration Fueled Two-Thirds Of Canada's Population Growth



2006 Census

Today, Statistics Canada begins to paint a statistical portrait of Canadians with the release of the first data from the 2006 Census, covering population and dwelling counts. A detailed analysis of growth rates, demographic trends and geographic distribution of the population is available in the report Portrait of the Canadian Population in 2006.

Between 2001 and 2006, Canada's population increased 5.4%, the first time since 1991 that the census-to-census growth rate has accelerated. This acceleration during the past five years was due to higher levels of immigration.

Canada had a faster rate of growth than any other member of the G8 group of industrialized nations between 2001 and 2006. The United States was in second place with a population growth of 5.0% during the same period.

Net international migration fueled two-thirds of Canada's population growth. In contrast, 60% of the growth in the United States population was due to natural increase, that is, the number of births exceeding the number of deaths. The American fertility rate was among the highest for a developed country.

Two provinces, Alberta and Ontario, were responsible for two-thirds of the increase in Canada's population. Alberta, in the midst of an unprecedented economic boom, led the provinces with a growth rate of 10.6%. Calgary was the second fastest growing census metropolitan area (CMA); Barrie, which is north of Toronto, was the fastest.

In total, the 2006 Census enumerated 31,612,897 people in Canada, compared with 30,007,094 in 2001, a gain of just over 1.6 million individuals since the last census.

Term 'visible minorities' may be discriminatory, UN body warns Canada
From www.cbc.ca

Canada should reconsider using the term "visible minorities" to define people facing discrimination, a United Nations anti-racism watchdog reports, suggesting the phrase itself is discriminatory.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination released a report Wednesday on how Canada is living up to an international treaty aimed at eliminating racism. While Ottawa is praised for some initiatives - including the establishment of a number of committees to fight discrimination and the toughening up of legislation against hate crimes - a number of concerns are raised relating to other issues.

Among those is the use of the term "visible minorities," which the committee says "may not be in accordance with the aims and objectives of the convention." The convention is the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which says distinction based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin is discriminatory. It calls on Canada to "reflect further" on the use of the term visible minorities.

The 16-member group also expresses concerns over the heightened risks of discrimination resulting from increased national security measures, including the Anti-terrorism Act and the use of security certificates. Canada should continue to review its national security measures, the report says, and undertake "sensitization campaigns" to protect people from being labelled as terrorists.

Canada is also taken to task for not making sufficient progress in tackling discrimination against aboriginal people, who they say continue to face discrimination in employment, and are under-represented in public offices and government positions. The report also accuses the police of using a disproportionate amount of force against African-Canadians.

It also says there is a disproportionately high rate of incarceration among Canada's First Nations. Canada should consider alternatives to prison for them wherever possible because of the negative impact caused by separating them from their community, the report recommends.

As well, the committee raises concerns over Canada's treatment of undocumented migrants and stateless persons whose asylum applications have been rejected. It calls on the government to provide both groups with access to social security, health care and education.

IGO of Ontario Takes Action to help Pakistan-born Canadian Goans

“If I apply for a Visa, the Indian Consulate in Toronto requires a 6 month waiting period…I am one of those Goans who was born 60 years ago, in British India that 59 years ago became Pakistan”. This sentiment captured one of seven major issues identified during workshops held in Fall 2006 in Toronto, by The International Goan Organization (IGO) of Ontario Canada.

Ms. Zulema de Souza, President of IGO of Ontario wrote to the High Commissioner for India in Ottawa in November 2006 requesting that the visa process for Canadian citizens who are Pakistan-born Goans be expedited. The IGO delegate at the Global Goans Convention held in Goa on January 3-5 2007, Ms. Cellie Gonsalves, held meetings in Goa with Mr. R. R. Dash, Joint Secretary Head of Division (CPV) & Chief Passport Officer and Mr. Santosh Jha, Director America Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. She presented the plight of Pakistan-born Canadian Goans being harassed by Indian officials in Canada when applying for visas to visit Goa and requested that the existing discriminatory policy be terminated. She also provided copies of Ms. de Souza’s letter to them for their follow-up and action.

Recent reports from Canorient members indicate that visa applications for India now only take 3 weeks! Officially, The Consulate General of India, Toronto website now states, ”Canadians of Pakistani origin who no longer have Pakistani nationality and Pakistani passport may apply for visa on their Canadian passport with visa application meant for foreigners. Normally such passports would be mailed back in one month”.

Ms. Cellie Gonsalves was one of three delegates invited to make presentations at the Global Goans Convention. In addition to Discrimination against Pakistan-born Canadian Goans, she described the six other major issues faced in Goa by NRIs, namely: Land and Property Disputes; Property Management; Buying, Selling, Leasing Real Estate in Goa; Estate and Taxation; Investing in India; Information Centre and the appointment of a Canadian Liaison Officer.

A detailed report was presented separately to the Hon. Chief Minister, Mr. Pratapsingh Rane and Hon. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs during meetings held subsequent to the Convention. Both were very receptive to the concerns expressed in the report and committed to providing logistics and financial support to the appointment of a NRI Liaison Officer in Goa. IGO of Ontario was asked to recommend potential candidates for this position.

The IGO of Ontario, Canada will be presenting these issues and subsequent action taken, on Sunday April 29, 2007 at the Eatonville Library Meeting Room, 430 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Etobicoke from 1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. To register please email Mr. Al Mathias at almathias@rogers.com

Goan Voice designed and compiled by Demerg Systems India for Silverline Technologies Ltd.,
Campal Trade Centre, Next to Military Hospital, Campal, Panjim, Goa-403001
Tel: +91 832 2420797 Email: info@goanvoice.ca