Resources
The context behind Driving Canada — what the numbers say about arriving, working and being recognised in this country.
Unemployment and Underemployment of Newcomers
37%
of new Canadians say living in Canada is worse than they expected
Driving Canada Report, 2024
38%
of employed newcomers couldn't find a job in their field of study
Driving Canada Report, 2024
60%
had difficulty finding a job due to non-recognition of credentials or lack of Canadian experience
Driving Canada Report, 2024
66 years
cumulative professional experience among just 5 Uber drivers interviewed (Microsoft, IBM, TCS, provincial bureaucracy, pharmaceutical)
Driving Canada Report, 2024
63%
of immigrants with foreign credentials report working in jobs below their skill level within the first year
2.5x
higher unemployment rate for recent immigrants compared to Canadian-born workers
5-7 years
average time for skilled immigrants to find employment matching their qualifications
$20,000-$30,000
average annual income gap between newcomers and Canadian-born workers with similar credentials
40%
of regulated professionals (doctors, engineers, etc.) never work in their field in Canada
Immigration Statistics Over the Years
| Year | Total | Economic | Family | Refugees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 271,845 | 170,419 | 74,663 | 26,763 |
| 2018 | 321,045 | 177,915 | 90,155 | 52,975 |
| 2021 | 405,303 | 241,173 | 104,765 | 59,365 |
| 2023 | 471,655 | 294,346 | 117,949 | 59,360 |
Canada aims to welcome over 500,000 immigrants annually by 2025
Brief History of Immigration to Canada
Pre-Confederation (Before 1867)
Indigenous peoples inhabited Canada for thousands of years. European colonization began in the 16th century with French and British settlers establishing colonies.
Nation Building (1867-1914)
Post-Confederation Canada actively recruited immigrants to populate the West. The 'Open Door' policy welcomed Europeans, particularly from Britain and Northern Europe.
Restrictive Era (1914-1960s)
Two World Wars and the Great Depression led to restrictive immigration policies. The Chinese Immigration Act (1923) and other discriminatory policies limited non-European immigration.
Points System Era (1967-Present)
Introduction of the points-based system removed discriminatory barriers. Immigration became based on skills, education, and economic contribution rather than country of origin.