IMMIGRANT EMPLOYMENT INTEGRATION IN A MID-SIZED CITY

Abstract

Canada relies on immigration to drive population and economic growth. It ranks as a top destination for international migrants worldwide with some of the most highly educated, highly skilled immigrants entering the country each year. Yet, evidence suggests that recent immigrants perform poorly in the labour market when compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. Where immigrants settle can impact on how they effectively integrate into employment. Regionalization policies have resulted in a larger share of immigrants settling in small and mid-sized cities across the country. This dissertation examines the employment integration of recent immigrants to the mid-sized city of Guelph, Ontario. It uses a systems approach to map the connection between immigrant services and the local labour market and provides a descriptive analysis of immigrants’ early experiences on the pathway to employment. As the immigrant population grows, cities will face the greatest pressures to facilitate the effective and efficient employment integration of immigrants.