Warning View the most recent version.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.

Statistics Canada - Government of Canada

Standard symbols

Table 4  Reasons for staying in Canada cited by immigrants who plan to settle here permanently, by immigration category (Cited 4 years after arrival)
  Total Economic Family Refugees
%
All reasons cited
Quality of life better in Canada
55.4
58.4
48.6
54.7
Improve future for family
38.5
42.7
27.3
43.3
Be close to family & friends
31.0
19.1
58.5
30.4
Peace / Absence of war
29.6
31.1
20.8
53.5
Access to education
23.4
26.9
13.6
31.6
Canada's social system
17.7
18.5
15.6
18.7
Political or religious freedom
15.8
16.7
11.1
28.5
Job opportunities
15.7
16.4
12.6
20.7
Cultural aspects
15.2
17.1
11.2
13.6
Working conditions
9.9
10.4
8.1
12.6
Salary/pay
7.7
7.7
6.7
10.7
Business climate/free market
3.7
4.4
2.3
3.2E
Other
4.9
6.0
2.6
3.5E
Main reason cited*
Quality of life better in Canada
31.8
35.8
25.3
20.2
Be close to family & friends
20.2
9.8
46.3
12.9
Improve future for family
17.5
20.5
10.2
17.7
Peace / Absence of war
8.7
8.1
5.3
29.8
Access to education
5.9
7.1
2.7
6.6
Job opportunities
3.1
3.5
2.4
2.2E
Cultural aspects
2.7
3.3
1.5E
1.9E
Canada's social system
2.7
2.8
2.6
1.3E
Political or religious freedom
1.8
2.1
0.6E
3.9E
Working conditions
0.5E
0.7E
X
X
Business climate/free market
0.3E
0.5E
X
X
Salary/pay
0.3E
0.3E
X
X
Other
4.6
5.6
2.6
3.4E
Total
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
*Due to rounding, percentages may not add up exactly to 100%.
Source: Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada, 2005