Where in Canada do immigrants earn the most money?

Statistics Canada has released a report summarizing the results of a study of immigrant incomes in Canada. The sociologists looked at those who came to Canada under Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) from 2005 to 2020.

Provincial or federal programs?

From 2005 to 2009 and from 2010 to 2014, the earnings of PNP immigrants were significantly higher than those of immigrants who came under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). However, in 2015-2019, the results are reversed.

In Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, provincial candidates had initial earnings CA$ 12,500 to CA$ 18,000 more than federal skilled workers. However, this changed significantly in these provinces between 2015 and 2019. FSWP immigrants had significant increases in earnings, up to 37% in Ontario and 54% in British Columbia. In contrast, PNP immigrants in all provinces experienced either slow or declining incomes.

FSWP immigrants earned significantly less in the long run mainly because they had a different geography of origin. However, the decisive factor in the outcome was always work experience in Canada prior to obtaining a permanent residence permit. Thus, those who arrived through an appropriate program — with Canadian work experience, better education, and a higher concentration in Ontario — performed best.

Provinces with the highest salaries

Between provinces, researchers found large differences in both initial and long-term earnings among PNP immigrants. For example, initial earnings among PNP immigrants from 2015 to 2019 ranged from a low of CA$ 36,500 in Manitoba to a high of CA$ 59,600 in Ontario.

Overall, immigrants in Ontario (CA$ 59,600), Alberta (CA$ 54,200) and British Columbia (CA$ 58,100) had the highest incomes, while commuters in Atlantic Provinces (CA$ 46,500), Manitoba (CA$ 36,500) and Saskatchewan (CA$ 43,800) had the lowest earnings. A similar picture emerges for long-term earnings.

Perhaps the earnings gap between provinces is due to differences in the types of applicants selected. For example, if a province selects applicants with lower levels of education, no Canadian work experience or education, and poor knowledge of the official language, it is likely that their earnings will be lower than those of immigrants in provinces that select fewer such applicants. Applicants in provinces with worse economic conditions, as measured by unemployment rates, may also have lower earnings than those in other provinces.

The Statistics Canada study did not include Quebec. It is the only province with its own immigration system.