Immigrants catapult Canada to 2nd highest in population growth

Canada was listed to have the second highest rate of population growth among G-8 countries over a 10-year period. Canada’s population increased by 2.98 million people between 1994 and 2004, a rate second only to the United States. In comparison, American growth was driven generally by natural increase and high fertility rate while Canada’s bulk of increase was due to immigration. Most immigrants were from Asia (61 percent) and Europe (19 percent).

The country’s population to date is over 32 million, up by 296,100 from last year. Alberta supposedly was responsible for the growth due to soaring oil prices and excellent business/employment opportunities.

The fertility rate in the country is around 1.5 children per woman, which was listed as fourth among the G-8 countries. The median age is 33.3 years while the life expectancy is longer, about 78.7 years. For comparison, the life expectancy, at birth in years in the US is 77, Germany 79, France 80, Italy 81, Japan 82 and UK 79.

Vancouver was voted/awarded best city in the Americas for the second year in a row by the prestigious and highly respected travel magazine, Conde Neste Traveler. Then, Vancouver Island as the best island in North America for the sixth year. The other awardees after Vancouver were San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Quebec City; Victoria, British Columbia.

So what’s so special about Vancouver? Many say that it is the excellent mix of geography and hospitality, the cultural diversity, easy access to one’s language, superb food that is varied, outstanding communication facilities and infrastructure.

British Columbians who frequent Bellingham and Seattle for brief weekend getaways will have to arm themselves with Canadian passports by next year. Starting Dec. 31, 2006, US and Canadian residents crossing the US border by air or sea must have a passport. A year later, travel by land will be included in the requirement.

There will be some negative financial implications and side effects because about 34 percent of US residents and 41 percent of Canadian residents over the age of 18 only hold a valid passport. In terms of money, the proposed US passport legislation would cost the B.C. tourism industry $403 million in lost revenues between 2005 and 2008 because more than 1.3 million American visitors would not be able to travel to British Columbia, unless they secure proper documentation. For Canadians, it will be a hassle to bring passports just to go shopping for a few hours across the border.

According to Statistics Canada enrolment at Canadian universities was highest in Ontario where more than one-third of foreign students were enrolled. Almost half of foreign students are from Asia. Another percent enrolled in Quebec universities. Meanwhile, British Columbia’s universities accounted for 11 percent and Alberta universities 8 percent.

A national survey revealed that Canadian parents want to spend more time with their children but don’t or can’t. Scheduling demands are a problem for 40 percent of Canadian parents when it comes to time for family. The other factors include the expense of group outings and difficulty of finding universally appealing activities. In other words, there is a huge gap between what they would like to do and what they can do.

On average, parents spend less than 3.5 hours a day doing activities in which they truly interact with their children or only 23.3 hours per week. Quebecers supposedly tend to have the least amount of quality time at 21.5 hours a week, while residents of Atlantic Canada lead the country at 28 hours. Parents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are doing okay at 27.9 hours, then Ontario at 24.8, British Columbia at 24.4 and Alberta at 23.4.

Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell has a new project that raised the eyebrows of conservatives. He wanted to improve the health and safety of sex trade workers. He suggested the possible legislation of a red-light district. The objective is to develop a well-informed, coordinated approach to issues related with sex work. The Mayor said "We have to come to some recognition that there is a sex trade and it’s not going away."