Research Library

Ethnic Spatial Segmentation in Immigrant Destinations—Edmonton and Calgary

Abstract

Immigrant destinations other than Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver are often overlooked in Canadian immigration and settlement debates and discussions. Between 2011 and 2016, such destinations received over 40% of all immigrants arriving in Canada. This study endeavors to systematize the classification of communities where immigrants are destined to settle. It also explores the issue of spatial segmentation in two such places in Alberta—Edmonton and Calgary. In both metropolitan areas, ethnic spatial segmentation exists, but not at the same scale as in a large metropolis like Toronto. Both metropolitan areas still have a substantial population of established white Canadians who identify as Germans or Ukrainians, although most of them reside in rural parts of these two areas. However, the rest of the urban landscapes is a mix of the white Canadians and recently arrived visible minorities.