Diversity in Calgary

 

Calgary's population is changing rapidly and will continue to do so. 

 

• Alberta has the highest migration and immigration rates in Canada. 

• The 2001 census lists the visible minority population in Calgary as 17.5%, and Aboriginal Calgarians as 2.5% 

• Many youth and seniors do not speak one of Canada's two official languages, which significantly impacts education, workplace integration, social and recreational opportunities. Within the context of Alberta's diverse settlement history, official language policies that focus on English and French create huge gaps. 

• Diversity in Calgary touches not only ethnic or cultural differences, but also focuses on gender, age, physical or mental challenges, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, and much more. Diversity Calgary states that "In a broad sense, diversity is about all the ways that people are different and ensuring that people are valued and respected both for and despite their differences."

 

In 2010, the total immigrant population was estimated at 304,000 which represents almost 30 per cent of the total population (1,091,000). The immigrant population in Calgary– and throughout Canada–is growing and will continue to grow. Calgary’s total immigrant population (both Permanent and Non-permanent residents) is projected to reach almost half a million by 2020. 

 

Calgary will continue to attract immigrants between the working ages of 25 and 44 years. The estimation

for 2010 was that over half (52.7 per cent) of the total Permanent Residents landing in Calgary were  from this age group. Immigrant children under the age of 14 years are the next largest age group which has implications for our future labour market.

 

In 2010, the total immigrant population was estimated at 304,000 which represents almost 30 per cent of the total population (1,091,000). The immigrant population in Calgary–and throughout Canada–is growing and will continue to grow.

 

The percentage of children who are immigrants will remain relatively constant, but the percentage of

visible minority children will rise to 33 per cent over the next ten years. Among young people aged 15 to

24 years, almost 14 per cent are immigrants, and 23 per cent are members of visible minority groups.

These figures are expected to rise to 17 per cent and almost 36 per cent by 2016