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ASSIGNMENT ONE
Immigrants in Toronto: Transforming the Landscape
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Global cities are identified mainly on the basis of their economic characteristics, as important control and command centres from which managers and professionals direct investment and production around the world. Immigrants are an important and often overlooked component of global cities where their work is essential to many economic sectors. Immigrants arrive in global cities with diverse resources. In addition to highly skilled , professional workers whose skills are in demand, many immigrants end up in poorly paid, insecure jobs because they lack fluency in an official language, their credentials and work experience are not recognized by employers, and they lack job and skills training. A third group of immigrants are experienced business people who arrive ready to invest and build new businesses.
In Canada, the geography of immigrant settlement is very uneven. Recent immigrants have settled mainly in Canada’s largest metropolitan areas, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal. In the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area, that stretches from Oakville to Oshawa and from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe, immigrants are approximately 42 percent of the population (Figure 1). The origins of immigrants also vary among metropolitan areas as a result of provincial variations in immigration policies, the language of everyday life, and the economic trajectories of metropolitan areas. The history of immigration to a metropolitan area is also influential. Migration is a social process that is greatly influenced by social networks. The destinations of the pioneers, the first people from an origin who settle in a Canadian city, influences the destinations of subsequent migrants from the same origin. Many observers claim that immigrants have transformed the social, political, and economic geography of each metropolitan area in distinct and different ways, heightening geographical differences among the metropolitan areas..
In this assignment, you will assess whether immigration has transformed Toronto, heightening geographical differences among Canada’s three largest metropolitan areas. You will assess the uneven geography of immigrant settlement among the three metropolitan areas, explore some of the factors that contribute to the geography of immigrant settlement, and speculate on the impact of recent immigration on Toronto’s landscape. To assess the uneven geography of immigration, you will compare the numbers and birthplaces of immigrant populations living in Toronto with those in Vancouver and Montreal, Canada’s other main immigration destinations. Using census information and various readings, you will examine some of the factors such as the metropolitan area’s immigration history that contribute to differences and similarities in the immigrant populations of Toronto and those in the other two cities. On the basis of fieldwork, you will speculate on how immigration has changed Toronto’s landscape. |
| INFORMATION |
To complete this assignment, you will analyse census information, selected readings, and field observations.
Census Information
The attached tables show the numbers of immigrants and birthplaces of immigrants living in the Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal Census Metropolitan Areas. Table 1 lists information for all residents of each Census Metropolitan Area in 1996. A Census Metropolitan Area is the labour market area of a large urban place with a population of 100,000 or over (Statistics Canada 1993). For example, in 1996, the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area stretched from Oakville to Oshawa and from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe.
Table 1 provides information about the birthplaces of metropolitan residents in 1996. Total population is the total number of people who reside in each metropolitan area. The non- immigrant population includes people born in Canada1. The total immigrant population refers to the total number of permanent residents who were born outside Canada. Total recent immigrants are permanent residents born outside Canada who settled in Canada between 1991 and 1996. The table illustrates an important characteristic of census information. The numbers all end in 0 or 5. Census data are rounded. As a result, the numbers may not sum to the exact total and percentages will not sum to exactly 100.0 percent.
Table 2 lists the numbers of immigrants born in selected countries of birth for each metropolitan area. The ten largest countries of birth are included in the table, but there are many other birthplaces that have been omitted. As a result, the sum of the numbers of immigrants from the specified countries of birth will not equal total immigrants. All immigrants are included in Table 2. Although many immigrants travel directly from their countries of birth to Canada, growing numbers reside in intermediate destinations before moving to Canada. For example, some women from the Philippines move to Hong Kong or Singapore to gain experience as nannies before emigrating to Canada.
The countries of birth of recent immigrants, those who arrived between 1991 and 1996, are listed in Table 3. Again, the table includes the ten largest countries of birth for recent immigrants. Notice that different countries are listed in Tables 2 and 3. Recent immigrants have come from different countries than earlier waves of immigrants. Table 4 describes the periods of arrival of immigrants in each metropolitan area. In your interpretation of this information, keep in mind that the last period covers only five years, rather than a decade.
Readings
Information about immigration to Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal is available from many sources. A few suggestions are listed below to help you begin your search for information. Use the readings to find other sources of information. The Libraries webpage includes many suggestions about how to identify additional references. You may incorporate relevant newspaper and magazine articles and information from the web. When you seek additional references, be critical about information from magazines and newspapers and that available on the web. None of these sources is subject to the same types of review as scholarly articles. For suggestions about how to evaluate information on the web, see eResources on the York University Libraries webpage where you will find tips entitled How to evaluate Internet resources.. The quality and number of relevant references will be considered in assessing the assignment.
*Badets, J. and Howatson-Leo, L. 1999 ‘Recent Immigrants in the Workforce,’ Canadian Social Trends, Spring, 16-22.
Also available at http://estat.statcan.ca/content/english/articles/pop-a.htm
*Boyd, M. And Vickers, T. 2000 ‘100 Years of Immigration,’ Canadian Social Trends, Autumn, 2-12.
Also available at http://estat.statcan.ca/content/english/articles/pop-a.htm
*Chard, J. And Renaud, V. 1999 ‘Visible Minorities in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal,’ Canadian Social Trends, Autumn, 20-25.
Also available at http://estat.statcan.ca/content/english/articles/pop-a.htm
*Germain, A. 1997 Case Studies of Research and Policy on Migrants in Cities - Montreal. Background Paper prepared for the Second International Metropolis Conference. Utrecht University: ERCOMER.
Hiebert, D. 1998 The Changing Social Geography of Immigrant Settlement in Vancouver. RIIM Working Paper #98-16. Vancouver: Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Integration in the Metropolis, pp. 10-19, 22-32.
Available at http://riim.metropolis.net
Click on Research and Policy. Click on Working Papers
*Ley, D. 1999 ‘The Myths and Meanings of Immigration and the Metropolis,’ The Canadian Geographer, 43: 2-19.
*Murdie, R. A. and Teixeira, C. 2000 ‘Towards A Comfortable Neighbourhood and Appropriate Housing: Immigrant Experience in Toronto,’ CERIS Working Paper No. 10. Toronto: Joint Centre of Excellence for Research on Immigration and Settlement, pp. 12-36.
*Olson, S.H. and Kobayashi, A. 1993 ‘The Emerging Ethnocultural Mosaic.’ In The Changing Social Geography of Canadian Cities eds. L.S. Bourne and D. F. Ley. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Readings identified by * will be available on reserve in Scott Library. Several may also be obtained through the internet from the Statistics Canada website and from eResources on the York University Libraries webpage.
Field Observations
The third type of information will be collected by observation in the neighbourhood where you live. Begin by drawing a sketch map of your neighbourhood that indicates the streets that bound the area and the streets where businesses are located. Neighbourhood refers to the area where housing is fairly similar in terms of its age and style. You should outline a reasonably large area that includes the locations where you and your family shop on a weekly basis. Once you have identified your neighbourhood, review the list of birthplaces for all immigrants in Table 2 and the list of birthplaces for recent immigrants in Table 3.
Explore the main commercial streets where businesses are concentrated in your neighbourhood. Note the names, locations, and types of businesses that indicate the presence of immigrants and recent immigrants in Toronto. Also look for signs about social, political, and cultural activities catering to both groups of immigrants. Look for religious establishments, leisure facilities, and services as well as special events. It may be helpful to visit public buildings to see if there are any notices or other information about the groups that use the buildings. Identify the immigrant group that is the market for each business and that is involved in the social, political and cultural organizations and events. You will need this information to complete Table 5.
Make your observations during the day and, preferably, in the company of another student. Use discretion when recording your observations. If you wish to illustrate your assignment with photographs, be aware that you may only photograph people in public spaces. |
| E-Stat Instructions |
| USING AN INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER OTHER THAN YORK? |
| ESSAY COMPONENT |
The essay should consist of three sections. The introduction presents the topic, outlines the significance of the topic, and your approach. Specifically, you should indicate that your analysis draws on census information, information from various readings, and field observations. It is essential to indicate the thesis of the essay in the introduction.
The body of the essay will provide the arguments and evidence to support the thesis. To organize the essay, address the following issues in order:
Compare the birthplaces and periods of arrival of immigrants settling in Toronto with the birthplaces and periods of arrival of those settling in Vancouver and Montréal. In the comparison, concentrate on the main similarities and differences among the three metropolitan areas. Explain how the birthplaces of all immigrants and of recent immigrants in Toronto are similar to those of immigrants in Vancouver and Montréal. Then, describe the main differences between immigrants in Toronto and those in the other metropolitan areas. Use specific examples from Tables 1, 2, and 3 to justify your arguments.
The comparison should consider all immigrants and recent immigrants. Be sure to compare the birthplaces of all immigrants and recent immigrants in the Toronto metropolitan area. Consider whether the similarities and differences between Toronto and the other two metropolitan areas are the same for recent immigrants as for all immigrants. Finally, comment on the period of arrival of immigrants settling in Toronto and indicate whether the periods of arrival of immigrants in Toronto are similar and different from those of immigrants in Vancouver and Montréal.
In the comparison, take account of the absolute number of immigrants from each birthplace and the relative size of the birthplace group. Relative size is the percentage of immigrants or recent immigrants from each birthplace. The absolute number of immigrants in a group may be quite large, but its relative size may be small. For example, there are 10, 645 immigrants from the Philippines living in the Montreal metropolitan area. They account for only 1.8 percent of all immigrants in the Montreal metropolitan area. Notice that the denominator for the percentages varies. In Table 1, it is the total population. The denominator in Tables 2 and 4 is the total immigrant population, while in Table 3, the denominator is the total recent immigrants.
Using the readings and the information in Table 4, discuss the factors that have influenced the numbers of immigrants from various birthplaces who have settled in the Toronto metropolitan area in the postwar period. Be sure to consider the effects of immigration policy, the urban economy, immigration history and any other relevant factors identified in the readings. Justify the arguments with specific examples from the tables and the readings. Consider which factors have heightened geographic differences among the metropolitan areas and which factors have led to similarities. In your analysis, refer to the information presented by Germain (1997), Murdie and Teixeira (2000), Hiebert (1998), and Ley (1999).
On the basis of your fieldwork, evaluate the impact of immigrants on Toronto’s landscape. Identify the main trends in your field observations. Consider which immigrant groups are apparent on the landscape and how they are apparent. Account for the presence of some immigrant groups and the absence of others by considering the size of each immigrant group and its period of arrival. Be sure to comment on whether recent immigrants are more apparent on the landscape or whether the size of the immigrant group is more influential. Justify the arguments with specific examples from Table 5 and relevant information from the other tables and the readings. Consider whether any differences in the immigrants settling in Toronto that you identified in parts 1 and 2 of the body of the essay are apparent on the landscape. The readings by Olson and Kobayashi (1983) and Murdie and Teixeira (2000) will help you to account for the presence and absence of immigrants in the neighbourhood landscape.
A brief conclusion will summarize your findings, referring to the thesis that you have presented in the introduction and body of the essay. Avoid introducing new ideas in the conclusion. It is useful to outline the significance of the findings. |
| ESSAY FORMAT |
The essay must be no more than 8 double-spaced printed pages, with normal margins and in a font no smaller than 12. The length of the essay will be approximately 2,000 words. Page limits will be enforced strictly. Tables, maps, endnotes, and the bibliography do not count towards the page limits. Submit a completed copy of Table 5 and a sketch map of your neighbourhood with the essay, with the other tables to which you refer.
All assignments must be your own individual work. Collaboration with other students is not permitted and will be severely penalized.
Avoid plagiarism by identifying sources of all quotes and by indicating where you found major ideas and concepts. When in doubt, include a source. You may cite lectures and the text, but these should not be your main sources of information. Include a complete list of references in a bibliography attached to the essay. The bibliography should list only the references that are cited in the essay. Every information source including those obtained on the Internet must be included in the bibliography if it is cited. Include the complete addresses for all websites that you use. You may use any standard citation system, although I prefer the format in the list of readings. Information about plagiarism and citation systems is available from the Faculty of Arts Centre for Academic Writing website.
Computers for word-processing are available in Steacie Science Building and many of the colleges. If you have any concerns about the essay, please consult a teaching assistant in N424 Ross during their consultation hours. The hours are posted outside N424 Ross. For advice about writing essays, please register at the Faculty of Arts Centre for Academic Writing, S329 Ross. |
| SUBMISSION |
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DUE DATE: The assignment is due Monday, October 29, 2001
All assignments must be given personally to a teaching assistant in N425 by 4:00 pm of the due date. Keep a complete copy of your assignment and of your “rough’ work.
Penalties for late assignments will be assessed at the rate of a half letter grade per day. Penalties may be reduced if medical or compassionate grounds for lateness are demonstrated to the Course Director and corroborated by letters from a physician or adviser; these letters will be verified by telephone at the Course Director’s discretion.
Late assignments must be submitted before non-late assignments are returned, approximately three weeks after the due date. Submit late assignments only to the receptionist in the Department of Geography Main Office, N430 Ross. The main office closes at 4:00 pm sharp most days. Be sure to have the assignment date-stamped. Never leave an assignment under or upon an office door.
For more details about late policies and penalties, consult the general information handout for the course.
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| TABLES |
TABLE 1
Population by Birthplace, 1996 |
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Montréal |
Toronto
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Vancouver
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Total population
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3287645 |
4232905 |
1813935 |
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Non-immigrant population
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2664475 (81.0)
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2407465 (56.9)
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1156360 (63.7)
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Total immigrants
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586465 (17.8)
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1772905 (41.9)
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633745 (34.9)
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Total recent immigrants
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134535 (4.1)
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441030 (10.4)
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189655 (10.5)
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Recent immigrants arrived in Canada between 1991 and 1996. All percentages are the percent of total population.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 http://estat.statcan.ca |
back
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TABLE 2
Immigrants by Birthplace, 1996 |
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Birthplace
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Montréal |
Toronto
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Vancouver
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United Kingdom
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17365 (3.0)
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158070 (8.9)
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75415 (11.9)
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Italy
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72325 (12.3)
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146515 (8.3)
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13505 (2.1)
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United States
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15935 (2.7)
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36360 (2.1)
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22685 (3.6)
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Hong Kong
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7185 (1.2)
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110995 (6.3)
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86210 (13.6)
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India
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12755 (2.2)
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99930 (5.6)
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53470 (8.4)
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China
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14675 (2.5)
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87610 (4.9)
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72915 (11.5)
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Poland
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16110 (2.7)
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74220 (4.2)
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12445 (2.0)
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Philippines
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10645 (1.8)
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80855 (4.6)
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34640 (5.5)
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Portugal
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19910 (3.4)
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82105 (4.6)
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5550 (0.9)
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Viet Nam
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21915 (3.7)
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50075 (2.8)
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17000 (2.7)
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All percentages are the percent of total immigrants.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 http://estat.statcan.ca |
back
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TABLE 3
Recent Immigrants by Birthplace, 1996 |
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Birthplace
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Montréal |
Toronto
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Vancouver
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Hong Kong
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3595 (2.7)
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48540 (11.0)
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44715 (23.6)
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China
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6650 (4.9)
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35325 (8.0)
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27005 (14.2)
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India
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4380 (3.3)
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33185 (7.5)
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16180 (8.5)
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Philippines
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4635 (3.4)
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33215 (7.5)
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13610 (7.2)
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Sri Lanka
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4670 (3.5)
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36735 (8.3)
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765 (0.4)
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Poland
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2170 (1.6)
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18605 (4.2)
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3065 (1.6)
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Taiwan
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1535 (1.1)
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6135 (1.4)
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22315 (11.8)
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Viet Nam
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4130 (3.1)
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12295 (2.8)
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3860 (2.0)
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Iran
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2705 (2.0)
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10975 (2.5)
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4640 (2.4)
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Guyana
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475 (0.4)
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13190 (3.0)
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120 (0.1)
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Recent immigrants arrived between 1991 and 1996. All percentages are the percent of total recent immigrants.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 http://estat.statcan.ca |
back
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| TABLE 4 Period of Immigration, 1996 |
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Period of Immigration
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Montréal |
Toronto
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Vancouver
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Pre-1961
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99315 (16.9)
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264630 (14.9)
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86415 (13.6)
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1961-1970
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97685 (16.7)
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269870 (15.2)
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78635 (12.4)
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1971-1980
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115360 (19.7)
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360365 (20.3)
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129830 (20.5)
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1981-1990
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139570 (23.8)
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437000 (24.6)
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149200 (23.5)
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1991-1996
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134535 (22.9)
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441030 (24.9)
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189655 (29.9)
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All percentages are the percent of total immigrants.
Source: Statistics Canada, 2001 http://estat.statcan.ca |
back
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TABLE 5
Field Observations
Neighbourhood: ____________________________________ |
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Land Use/ Activity |
Immigrant Group |
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