A recent report from Statistics Canada (StatsCan) released on January 22, 2022, outlines the various ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the integration of new immigrants into Canada. The report covers several key findings related to the economic outcomes of recent immigrants in 2021, the second year of the pandemic.
According to the report, 2021 saw the lowest number of new immigrants who filed taxes in Canada among any admission cohort spanning the previous 10 years. StatsCan attributes this outcome to the pandemic’s border restrictions, which resulted in more tax-filing immigrants among the 2020 admission cohort who had already lived in Canada. This includes individuals with work permits, study permits, asylum claims, and more.
However, there has been a positive rebound and improvement in median entry wages for new immigrants. The report reveals that the 2020 cohort had the highest median entry wages compared to previous cohorts, with a 21.6% increase from the 2019 cohort. Despite this improvement, the median entry wage for women newcomers remained lower than that of their male counterparts.
Pre-admission work experience has played a crucial role in the economic integration of immigrants, with the report showing that immigrants with work and/or study experience prior to admission had better economic outcomes during the pandemic. Regardless of pre-admission experience, the 2020 cohort earned median entry wages in 2021 that were higher than pre-pandemic levels.
The median entry wages of different immigration classes also returned to or surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with positive outcomes across the board for 2021 median entry wages. Economic principal applicants, spouses/dependents of economic immigrants, family-sponsored immigrants, and refugees all experienced wage increases in 2021 compared to previous cohorts.
In conclusion, the report provides valuable insights into the economic outcomes of new immigrants during the pandemic, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they have faced. Despite the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, immigrants have shown resilience and the ability to adapt, leading to improved economic integration within Canadian society.
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