Maple News reports that a recent study by Statistics Canada highlights Vancouver, Toronto, and Edmonton as the top three Canadian cities where immigrants are most likely to stay long-term. The findings come from the 2020 Longitudinal Immigration Database, which analyzed tax data from immigrants who landed in Canada in 2014.
According to the study, Vancouver leads with a retention rate of slightly over 86%, meaning the vast majority of newcomers who moved there in 2014 were still residing and filing taxes in the city five years later. Toronto closely follows with roughly 86%, and Edmonton ranks third at nearly 85%. These figures indicate that major urban hubs with diverse communities, robust labour markets, and established settlement infrastructure are particularly successful in retaining immigrants.
The research also reveals that family-sponsored immigrants are the most likely to remain in their initial city of settlement, compared to economic-class immigrants and refugees. This trend reflects the strong pull of close personal connections and support networks that often accompany family reunification cases.
Employment and prior experience in Canada play a pivotal role in an immigrant’s decision to stay in a specific region. Immigrants who worked in a province before becoming permanent residents showed high retention, underscoring the importance of employment opportunities and local familiarity in influencing settlement choices.
In Atlantic Canada — a region that historically struggles with immigrant retention — Halifax ranked highest with nearly 58% of 2014 newcomers remaining five years later. Nova Scotia posted the highest provincial retention rate in the region at almost 63%. These figures signal modest but meaningful progress, potentially linked to targeted initiatives like the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, aimed at improving integration and economic outcomes in smaller centres.
The data suggests that regional economic opportunities, existing personal or professional ties, and the class under which one immigrates significantly affect immigrant settlement and mobility trends. For policymakers and community planners, these insights are crucial for shaping programs that not only attract newcomers but also encourage them to build their futures in specific areas of Canada.