Canadian Migration Policy

A border marker between Canada and the U.S.

Canadian migration policy can be understood within several different concepts: the desire to disperse immigrants throughout the country, the effect of political events on inter-provincial migration and the priorities underlying decisions to approve applicants who seek citizenship in Canada.

Policies

Canada's immigration policy encourages immigrants to disperse across the country to smaller communities. In the decades following WWII, 66 percent of immigrants entering Canada settled in Montréal, Vancouver and Toronto. Policy at the end of 2010 encourages immigrants to settle in the less-populated provinces, away from urban centers.

Effects

A 2005 Canadian study investigated the effects of policy changes and political events on migration patterns between the various provinces. Among other conclusions, the study found that political events in Quebec in the 1970s and the closing of the cod fishery in 1992 were associated with large changes in migration patterns during that time.

Goals

Canadian immigration policy promotes underlying economic, family reunification and refugee goals. The economic selection process rewards applicants with a high level of skills, experience and language ability. Family reunification selection keeps families together, including same-sex couples. Refugee selection provides safe haven to those persecuted and without country, protecting and promoting basic human rights.

References

• Council on Foreign Relations; Canada's Immigration Policy; July, 2006
• "Policy-Induced Internal Migration: An Empirical Investigation of the Canadian Case;" by Kathleen Day and Stanley L. Winer; November 2005
• The Canadian Encyclopedia; Immigration Policy