Canada’s comprehensive approach ranks high in the MIPEX ‘Top Ten’, scoring 80 on the MIPEX 100-point scale, above the MIPEX average of 49. A comprehensive approach to integration guarantees equal rights, opportunities and security for newcomers and citizens. Canada leads the other traditional destination countries in the Top Ten, with policies in most areas that are slightly more favourable than policies in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
The ‘Top Ten’ MIPEX countries treat immigrants as equals and invest in integration as an opportunity. In Canada, integration goes both ways, as policies encourage the public to see immigrants as their equals, neighbours and potential citizens.
These policies matter because the way that governments treat immigrants strongly influences how well immigrants and the public interact and think of each other. Drawing on 130 independent scientific studies using MIPEX, integration policies emerge as one of the strongest factors shaping not only the public’s willingness to accept and interact with immigrants, but also immigrants’ own attitudes, belonging, participation and even health in their new home country. Under inclusive policies like Canada’s, both immigrants and the public are more likely to interact together and think of each other as equals.
- Labour market mobility: Slightly favourable: Permanent residents, families and some temporary workers enjoy better opportunities to progress into stable quality employment than in most other Global Destinations.
- Family reunification: Favourable: Canada’s policies are traditionally family-friendly, but, despite minor improvements in 2017, adult children, parents and grandparents still face greater obstacles to reunite in Canada than in other countries in the Top Ten.
- Education: Favourable: Canada’s well-developed multicultural education and equity policies help all types of children to achieve and feel safe and at home at school, but better representation is needed across the curriculum, teaching profession and higher education.
- Health: Slightly favourable: While obstacles still remain, Canada’s responsive healthcare services are becoming more accessible for immigrant patients. This can have major and direct implications on their physical and mental health.
- Political participation: Halfway favourable: While immigrants can become active in local civil society and become full citizens, Canada, unlike other major destinations, does not experiment in local democracy by expanding voting rights or consultative structures.
- Permanent residence: Slightly favourable: Canada’s traditional path to permanent residence, citizenship and secure integration outcomes can be long and frustrating for the increasing number of temporary migrant workers.
- Access to nationality: Favourable: Canada’s traditional path to citizenship is straightforward and flexible, with its high levels of naturalisation, political participation and belonging to the country.
- Anti-discrimination: Favourable: Canada’s world-leading anti-discrimination laws and policies secure high levels of awareness, trust and reporting on discrimination.
