The Multicultural Mix of Urban Canada

Canada leads all G8 nations in population growth, driven largely by immigration. The rich ethno-cultural diversity of the country can be seen on the streets of the largest metro areas as the size of visible minority groups continues to grow.

According to the 2006 census, the vast majority of Canadians belonging to a visible minority group live in the country’s major cities, with visible minorities comprising 63% of the population of Toronto, 59% of Vancouver and 31% of Montreal. (2011 Census data on visible minorities won’t be released until 2013.)

Based on immigration trends, it’s estimated that by 2031 between 29% to 32% of Canada’s population (11.4 and 14.4 million people) could belong to a visible minority group, nearly double the proportion and more than double the number reported in 2006.

The largest visible minority group country-wide—people of South Asian descent—could represent 28% of the visible minority population by 2031, up from 25% in 2006, while the share of residents of Chinese origin could decline from 24% to 21%.

It’s anticipated Canada’s black and Filipino populations, the third- and fourth-largest visible minority groups in 2006, could double in size by 2031. And the fastest-growing populations, the Arab and West Asian groups, are projected to more than triple in size by 2031.

Marketing created a special map of Canada that details the multicultural makeup of the country’s big cities for its March 12 issue, just ahead of the annual Multicultural Marketing Conference (March 20 in Toronto, March 21 in Montreal and March 23 in Calgary). Click here for more information.