GEOG 376 Project

	Recent Immigrant Settlement in the GVRD (2001 Census) and Planning for a New Service Center
HOME ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION METHODS DISCUSSION CONCLUSION REFERENCES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS	INTRODUCTION Often described using the metaphor of a salad bowl or mosaic, the multicultural nature of the Canadian population is a tribute to the importance of immigrants throughout the nation’s short history. In the 21st century, immigrants continue to be a vital part of the Canadian demography, providing an influx of skilled and unskilled workers to a labour market stressed by an ageing population. The concentration of immigrants is most profound in Canada’s main cities, namely; Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. For new arrivals, adjusting to life in a new country poses a variety of, social, economic and cultural challenges. In consideration of the importance of immigrants to the labour force, it is in Vancouver’s best interests to assist these individuals and their families to adjust to life in the city and deter them from out migration to the East or U.S.. Doing so is advantageous both economically and culturally, as these new citizens will assist in ensuring that Vancouver remains a vibrant and competitive city. An understanding of immigrant settlement trends is integral for planning the location and service requirements (ie, languages spoken) for a new Immigrant Service Centre. In this way, GIS can be utilized to plan a new service centre that corresponds to settlement trends from the 2001 Canada Census data.
GEOG 376 Advanced Issues in GIS - Group Project
By Jay Piggott (57103053) and Hiu Kwan WAI (12004032) Nov 2005

Often described using the metaphor of a salad bowl or mosaic, the multicultural nature of the Canadian population is a tribute to the importance of immigrants throughout the nation’s short history. In the 21st century, immigrants continue to be a vital part of the Canadian demography, providing an influx of skilled and unskilled workers to a labour market stressed by an ageing population.

The concentration of immigrants is most profound in Canada’s main cities, namely; Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. For new arrivals, adjusting to life in a new country poses a variety of, social, economic and cultural challenges. In consideration of the importance of immigrants to the labour force, it is in Vancouver’s best interests to assist these individuals and their families to adjust to life in the city and deter them from out migration to the East or U.S.. Doing so is advantageous both economically and culturally, as these new citizens will assist in ensuring that Vancouver remains a vibrant and competitive city.

An understanding of immigrant settlement trends is integral for planning the location and service requirements (ie, languages spoken) for a new Immigrant Service Centre. In this way, GIS can be utilized to plan a new service centre that corresponds to settlement trends from the 2001 Canada Census data.