Study: The contribution of immigrants and population groups designated as visible minorities to nurse aide, orderly and patient service associate occupations
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Released: 2020-06-22
Among the many heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic are nursing aides, orderlies and patient service associates who work in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care facilities for the elderly and other health care establishments across Canada.
Using census data, a new study titled "The contribution of immigrants and population groups designated as visible minorities to nurse aide, orderly and patient service associate occupations" looks at the important contribution of immigrants and groups designated as visible minority groups to this group of essential workers.
The study found that at the time of the most recent census (in 2016), over one-third (36%) of nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in Canada were immigrants, and that the vast majority were women.
The study also found that some groups designated as visible minorities were particularly more likely to be represented among immigrants working in these professions. Specifically, about 3 in 10 immigrants working in these occupations were Black, and another 3 in 10 were Filipino.
Immigrants working as nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates were more highly educated than their Canadian-born counterparts, with one-quarter holding at least a bachelor's degree compared with 5% of the Canadian-born, most often in a health-related field.
There are also marked regional differences. For example, immigrants accounted for over three-quarters of the nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates in Toronto (79%) but less than 10% in the Atlantic provinces.
Products
The study "The contribution of immigrants and population groups designated as visible minorities to nurse aide, orderly and patient service associate occupations" is now available as part of the series StatCan COVID-19: Data to Insights for a Better Canada (45280001).
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca) or Media Relations (613-951-4636; STATCAN.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.STATCAN@canada.ca).
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