Chinese still Canada's top immigrants
By Li Fei
More than 150,000 Chinese have settled in Canada from 2001 to 2006,
making China the largest source of new immigrants to the North
American country.
According to the 2006 Canada census, Chinese comprise 14 percent of
the 1,110,000 foreigners who settled in the country between January
1, 2001, and May 16, 2006.
China, India, the Philippines and Pakistan accounted for 38 percent
of new settlers in 2006, remaining the top four sources of
immigrants to Canada, says the census released by Statistics Canada
on Tuesday.
And the Chinese language (and dialects) remains Canada's most
common mother tongue after English and French.
The number of people citing the Chinese language (or any of its
dialects) as their mother tongue last year rose to about 1,034,000,
up 162,000, or 18.5 percent, over 2001. Also, Chinese language
speakers account for 3.3 percent of Canada's population, up from
2.9 percent five years ago.
Experts say Canada is among the top destinations for Chinese eager
to settle abroad as far as applications are concerned because its
immigration rules are not very rigid or complex. The large Chinese
community in the country is an attraction, too.
"Compared to other countries, such as those in Europe, the
immigration rules (of Canada) are relaxed. That makes the country a
favorable choice for aspiring Chinese immigrants," said a
consultant surnamed Su, who works for Beijing JJL Overseas
Education Consulting & Services Co.
The number of Chinese immigrants to Canada began rising in the
1980s when China launched its reform and opening-up policies. Their
number surged after 1994 when the two countries agreed that
eligible Chinese applicants could be granted Canadian visas if they
fulfilled all the requirements and could become permanent
residents.
