Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Immigration

Mississauga, a Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Immigration

One of Mississauga’s greatest assets is the diversity of our community residents. Mississauga is a vibrant city that is home to people of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including skilled immigrants with unique worldwide experiences. This richness of diversity can be largely attributed to a long standing and growing trend in immigration. Currently, over one‐half (52%) of Mississauga’s residents where born outside of Canada and this number continues to grow.

Statistics indicate that by 2011, 100% of Canada’s labour force growth will be due to immigration. Mississauga is showing signs of this trend. 2006 Census data shows that our non‐immigrant population decreased by 2% while our immigrant population increased by 20%.

As a community, Mississauga understands the importance of immigration and diversity. Positioning Mississauga, as a Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Immigration will play a critical role in ensuring our future well being and prosperity.

Diversity and immigration demographics in Mississauga
The picture of diversity and immigration in Mississauga is impressive;

Immigration:

• 343,245 residents where born outside of Canada
• 54% of Mississauga’s immigrants arrived between 1990 and 2006
• 63% (74,810) of all Peel’s Recent Immigrants live in Mississauga
• Each year approximately 15,000 newcomers to Canada chose Mississauga as their home.

Visible minority:

• Mississauga’s visible minority population has increased from 40% in 2001 to 49% in 2006
• The three largest groups of visible minorities in Mississauga are South Asians (134,750), Chinese (46,120), and Blacks (41,365).

Language:

• Almost half ( 317,345) of Mississauga’s residents have a mother tongue other that English or French
• The top three languages are Chinese, Urdu and Polish

Value of diversity and immigration to economy and society in Mississauga

However, diversity is not just about numbers. It is the story of how diversity and immigration enriches our community’s social, economic, and cultural vibrancy. From an economic perspective, skilled immigrants bring talent, education, and international connections. Diversity drives creativity and innovation and brings positive change to our human capital mix. Research indicates that diversity does indeed enhance economic output and innovative activity.

From a social and cultural perspective, diversity and immigration brings new knowledge, ideas, tastes, perspectives and lifestyles. Evidence of this positive change includes new retail and commercial centres, increased housing demand, new neighbourhood and community development, vibrant growth in places of worship, expanded health and social services, and an increasingly global approach to recreation, sports and the arts.

A Centre of Excellence for diversity and immigration

Mississauga is well positioned to become a Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Immigration. While cities across the globe grapple with issues of immigration and diversity, Mississauga has already proven itself to be a role model city in welcoming and integrating newcomers. Successful integration is the result of thoughtful and strategic planning. Multi‐stakeholder collaborations such as the Peel Newcomer Strategy Group, the Regional Diversity Roundtable and TRIECs Employer Roadmap are some of the many examples of Mississauga’s effectiveness at working together to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

Mississauga is one of a growing number of Canadian cities that recognize the importance of diversity and immigration. However, Mississauga has a unique place in Canada in attracting significant numbers of immigrants and in proving itself to be a proud city of immense possibilities. Creating a Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Immigration will help us to brand, share and promote our successes. And as we move forward, Mississagua will be known as a city where the value of diversity and immigration are an integral and planned component of the social, economic and cultural fabric of civic life.

Report April 29/2010

Building human capital

Post Secondary education

Waterfront development and environment

Centre of excellence for diversity and immigration

The Mississauga Works Task Force