According to Statistics Canada, immigrants make significant contributions across every sector of Canada’s economy. As of May 2021, immigrants aged between 25 to 54 represented over 36% of individuals working in accommodation and food services, almost 38% of those working in the transportation and warehousing sector, over 34% of those working in professional, scientific and technical services and over 20% of those working in constructions.
In addition, immigrants have impacted many sectors such as business, healthcare, science and technology arts and culture, and the food service sector.
Healthcare Sector
More than 1.6 million individuals work in Canada’s healthcare sector. Almost half a million of these workers are over the age of 55, and most of these people will be retiring in the next decade. In addition, there are recruiting challenges across Canada to find nurses, residential care staff and home health care staff. Therefore, there is a strong opportunity for immigrants to play a vital role to make sure that there are enough people working in the sector.
In Canada, Immigrants account for 1 out of every 4 healthcare sector workers. 23% of registered nurses, 35% of nurse aides and related occupations, 37% of pharmacists, 36% of physicians, 39% of dentists, 54% of dental technologists and related occupations.
Business Sector
Generally, Canada’s business sector employs more than 12 million Individuals. More than 2.7 million Canadians are self-employed while over 800,000 of them have paid employees. In the business sector entrepreneurs are an important part and in Canada immigrant entrepreneurs and business leaders play an important role to have a growing and successful economy.
Immigrants account for 33% of all business owners with paid staff, creating local jobs in all sectors of the Canadian economy such as professional services, construction, healthcare and retail trade.
There are more than 600,000 self-employed immigrants across the country, and over 260,000 of them have paid employees. Also, there are more than 47,000 immigrants work in senior management roles across the country, including over 15,000 in communications, finance and business services sectors, 12,000 in trade, broadcasting and other services, and more than 12,000 in transportation, production, construction, and utilities.
Arts and culture
Generally, there is a vibrant arts and culture section in Canada, and immigrants play a significant role in the growth of this industry, as there are more than 80,000 immigrants working in technical and professional occupations within arts and culture in Canada.
For instance, 1 in 4 individuals employed as an artisan or craftsperson in Canada is an immigrant. Over a quarter of fashion, theatre, exhibit and other creative designers are immigrants (26% of the total). In addition, 29% of independent artists, writers and performers are immigrants. There are more than 3,000 businesses in the arts and culture sector owned by immigrants in Canada.
Science and Technology
Canada attracts talent from around the world to work in and grow the science and technology sector. There is presently a need for more technology workers, and immigrants use that as an opportunity to make their mark in the industry. Specifically, 34% of individuals working in scientific research and development services across Canada are foreign-born.
In addition, nearly 500,000 immigrants working in Canada are trained in engineering, technology, science, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Most of the international student who are enrolled in STEM fields will stay and build their careers in Canada, enhancing the country’s capacity for innovation.
Food Sector
This is one of the top employers in the country, and there are 1.16 million employees in this sector. However, as of September 2019, more than 67,000 jobs were unoccupied in the food services sector, compared to any other main sector of the Canadian economy. More than 1 out of every 4 workers in the food and beverage sector are immigrants. Across the country, immigrants make up more than half (53%) of all business owners with paid staff in the food and beverage sector.
Furthermore, in 2016 new immigrants are helping to grow the food services sector and more than 3,200 recent immigrants across the country owned a food or beverage business.
