Making Connections: related materials

For immediate release
April 24, 2006

New Canadians participate, despite obstacles

OTTAWA – Immigrants give larger donations, on average, than the Canadian-born population but they are slightly less likely to volunteer their time than people born in Canada, according to research by the Canadian Council on Social Development (CCSD).

Making Connections: Social and Civic Engagement among New Canadians also shows that the rate of volunteering is increasing, particularly among recent immigrants.

"Despite a variety of barriers, including economic insecurity, many new Canadians are connecting with their communities and making a difference," says Katherine Scott, CCSD vice president of research and co-author of the report. "Immigrants donated more than 98 million hours of volunteer time in 2000. That is equivalent to 50,000 full-time jobs."

The study found the highest rate of volunteering among immigrants in Atlantic Canada (35%), followed by those in the Prairies (34%) and British Columbia (30%). Just over one-quarter of Ontario immigrants (28%) and 24% of immigrants in Québec volunteered their time in 2003. The participation rate in Québec was approximately the same for both immigrants and non-immigrants.

"We found that overall, immigrants were motivated by the same sorts of things as Canadian-born volunteers – in particular, the feeling of personal connection to a cause or organization," says Scott. Personal connection to a cause was particularly important among established immigrants.

"Many new Canadians also see volunteering as a way to use their skills and experience and they hope it will lead to a job," says Scott. "But the reality is that many new immigrants experience significant economic barriers. Those who would most benefit from participation in civic activities are those who are the most marginalized. That has major implications for the health and vitality of both the individuals and Canadian communities."

This report and related materials are available for download at www.ccsd.ca/pubs/2006/makingconnections.

The CCSD is an independent, non-profit, applied research organization that has been serving Canadians since 1920. The Council pays particular attention to economic security, child and family well-being, disability, and the non-profit and voluntary sector.

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Canadian Council on Social Development, 190 O'Connor Street, Suite 100, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2R3
Tel: (613) 236-8977, Fax: (613) 236-2750, Web: www.ccsd.ca, Email: council@ccsd.ca