1 in 5 Newcomers Leave Canada Within 25 Years, Prompts Call for Retention Strategy

November 19, 2024 TruthUSA

Statistics show that one in five immigrants who come to Canada end up leaving for another country within 25 years, with approximately a third of them departing within the first five years.

This data comes from a recent report by the Institute for Canadian Citizenship and the Conference Board of Canada, which examined onward migration for the second time, based on 2020 data.

The report reveals that economic immigrants are more likely to depart Canada, while refugees are less likely to leave. Some who left returned to their home country, while others ventured to a different third nation.

Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver experienced the highest outflow of immigrants, whereas smaller cities like Calgary, Halifax, and Moncton showed greater retention rates among immigrants.

According to the report, Francophone immigrants have a 35% long-term onward migration rate compared to their English counterparts.

The report recommends that the government formulate retention strategies to encourage more immigrants to stay in Canada during the initial five years.