Chinese Origin Canadians

Chinese origin Canadians make up a major component of modern Canadian culture; they are the second largest visible minority group in Toronto after South Asians, as noted by recent Canadian Census data (Statistics Canada, 2008). In 2006, 492,150 Chinese Canadians were counted in the Greater Toronto Area – the largest Chinese population in the country (Low, 2006).

In the late 1980’s, “Chinese” surpassed “Italian” as the second most common spoken language in Toronto (Low, 2006).
Chinese communities occupy a strong ground and visual presence within the Toronto arena, and they cater to one another through the large numbers of cultural centres and resources available throughout the city (Chui et al., 2005).

Chinese diversity

However, though this group shares one common ethnicity, they maintain differences in many respects. Members of this ethnic group differ by birth country, language, and religious beliefs (Chui et al, 2005).

Birth country

For instance, of the 74.7% of Chinese Torontonians born outside of Canada most come from either: the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan or Vietnam (Statistics Canada, 2008; Lo & Wang, 1997). And they speak varying Chinese dialects depending on their home region (Chui et al., 2005).

The most common Chinese dialect is Cantonese — most speakers originating from Hong Kong — the second, Mandarin, with the majority of speakers born in the People’s Republic of China, or Taiwan (Chui et al., 2005).

In addition to dialect, the Chinese Canadian ethnic population has generational divides that separate and differentiate group members.

Language

For the Chinese individuals that came to Canada in the 1980’s or 1990’s, lack of national language proficiency is an issue. Although 85% of these individuals proclaim to have conversational capabilities in either English or French, approximately 15% are unable to speak either of Canada’s home languages (Chui et al., 2005).

Whereas for the others — mainly those Chinese Canadians in the working-age bracket, language acquisition is not a problem. Approximately 89% of Chinese immigrants in this group have strong knowledge in at least one of Canada’s official languages (Chui et al., 2005).

Employment

The lack of recognition of foreign qualifications in Canada is noted as a major barrier to employment (Chui et al., 2005). Noted in the 2001 Census, Chinese newcomers experience difficulties entering the Canadian job market – those who immigrated in the 90’s had an employment rate of 61%; low in comparison to the general population’s rate of 80%.

But, for Canadian born Chinese, the employment rate in 2001 was comparable to the general population; in fact, it was higher for native born Chinese Canadian women than for Canadian natives (Chui et al., 2005).

Religion

Generational differences are also evident regarding religious practice and affiliation within the this population group.
Among Toronto’s early Chinese immigrants especially, the church body was an important structure serving as a meeting place, hall and leisure club. Even today, over 30 churches in Toronto continue to hold Chinese congregations (Ruprecht, 1990).

However, as noted in 2001, 60% of the Chinese in Canada report having no religious affiliation (Chui et al., 2005). The other 40%, report ties mainly with Buddhism, Catholicism or Protestantism (Chui et al., 2005).

Education

Taken as a whole, the Chinese Canadian population is highly educated. In 2005, 31% of this group had a university education, compared to the overall population rate of 18% (Chui et al., 2005).

Not surprisingly then, the Chinese are employed in a number of different occupational fields, primarily in natural and applied sciences, management and manufacturing.

Demographics

The rich history and past of the Chinese in Canada (dating back as far as 1788) make them one of the few ethnic groups for which a fair number are Canadian-born (Chui et al., 2005). As noted in 2001, 25% of the Chinese in Canada were born in the country (Chui et al., 2005).
Of course, the many Chinese immigrants who contribute to Canada’s history also make up a large proportion of the country’s aging demographic.

Elderly

The population of elderly Chinese is the fastest growing amongst all Canadian visible minority groups (Lai, 2004). In 2004, the aging Chinese population accounted for about 10% of the total Chinese Canadian population — a 50% increase from 1996 (Lai & Chau, 2007).

Approximately 89% of Chinese Canadians 55 years of age or older reside in the seven Canadian cities: Edmonton (AB), Victoria (BC), Vancouver (BC), Winnipeg (MB), Toronto (ON), and Montreal (QC) of which over 95% are immigrants (Bowman & Singer, 2001).

Many immigrated for family reunion (71.3%) and most have lived in Canada for an average 18.7 years (Chappell, 2006). Approximately two-thirds of the elderly Chinese population is married, while 28.4% are widowed (Chappell, 2006).

Family structure

Benefiting the aging generation, Chinese families in Canada have a strong, traditional presence. Chinese Canadians today are more likely than the overall population to be part of a coupling, have children, and live within the family unit.

The elderly Chinese commonly live with family members into their last stages of life. Only 1 in 10 senior Chinese Canadians live alone, a statistic that is much greater for the general Canadian aging population (Chui et al., 2005).

References:
Bowman, K. & Singer, P. (2001). Chinese seniors’ perspectives on end-of-life decisions. Social Science and Medicine. 53. 455-464.
Chappell, N. (2006). Perceived change in quality of life among Chinese Canadian seniors: the role of involvement in Chinese Culture. Journal of Happiness Studies. 6. 69-91.
Chui, T. Tran, K. & Flanders, J. (2005). Chinese Canadians: Enriching the Cultural Mosaic. Canadian Social Trends. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 11-0008
Lai, W.L. (2004). Impact of Culture on Depressive Symptoms of the Elderly Chinese Immigrants. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 49 (12). 820-827.
Lai, W.L. & Chau, S.B. (2007). Predictors of Service Barriers on Health Status of Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada. Social Work. 52 (3). 261-269.
Lo, Lucia. (2006). Changing geography of Toronto’s Chinese Ethnic Economy. In D.H. Kaplan and W. Li (Eds.) Landscapes of the Ethnic Economy. (Pp.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Lo, L. & L. Wang (1997). Settlement Patterns of Toronto’s Chinese Immigrants: Convergence of Divergence? Canadian Journal of Regional Science. 20. 49-72.
Low, H. (2006). Presentation – 8th National Metropolis Convention. Vancouver, Canada.
Statistics Canada. (2008). Canada’s Ethno cultural Mosaic, 2006 Census: Canada’s Major Census Metropolitan Areas. Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 97-562-XWE2006001. Ottawa. April 9. Analysis Series, 2006 Census. Available: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/analysis/ethnicorigin/toronto.cfm