Findings

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Portrait of immigrants in Canada

In 2006, immigrants accounted for 20% of the Canadian population, a 14% increase compared to the 2001 Census (Chui, Tran and Maheux 2007). In the Canadian population aged 15 and older, their representation increased to 23%. This difference is mainly attributable to a growth in the proportion of immigrants aged 45 and older. [Full text]

Immigrants as victims of violent crime

Similar to what was observed in 1999 (Statistics Canada, 2001), immigrants in 2004 had a rate of violent victimization (i.e., sexual assault, robbery and assault) that was considerably lower than that of the Canadian-born population. There were 68 violent incidents against immigrants per 1,000 population, compared to 116 incidents per 1,000 for non-immigrants. [Full text]

Immigrants' perceptions of the criminal justice system

Similar to non-immigrants, immigrants generally feel that the police are doing a good job. However, there were regional differences in the level of satisfaction with the work done by police. [Full text]

Immigrants' perceptions of social disorder and discrimination

In 2004, GSS respondents were asked to say to what extent certain social situations were a problem in their neighbourhood. These situations included noisy neighbours or loud parties; people hanging around or sleeping on the streets; garbage or litter lying around; vandalism; attacks or harassment because of skin colour, ethnic origin or religion; drug use or dealing; public drunkenness; and prostitution. [Full text]

Immigrants' perceptions regarding their personal safety and fear of crime

Even though immigrants run less risk of being a victim of violent crime, and despite being more likely to feel that there is no social disorder in their neighbourhood, they express slightly higher levels of fear than the Canadian-born population. As a result, 11% of immigrants compared to 8% of non-immigrants, believed that the crime rate was higher in their neighbourhood than elsewhere in Canada. [Full text]

Summary

The 2004 GSS data confirm the 1999 finding that immigrants are less likely than non-immigrants to be victims of violent crime. Otherwise, with the exception of a lower level of satisfaction with police response, the characteristics of the crimes experienced by immigrant and non-immigrant Canadians are generally similar. [Full text]