Over 20% of Canada’s population is foreign-born, with most people hailing from countries such as China, India, Pakistan, the US, the UK, Iran, South Korea, Columbia, and Sri Lanka.
The Canadian immigrant population has over 200 different ethnic origins, and the country encourages these foreign folks to make a home in the Great White North.
If you are looking to live in a city of diversity, there are many options in Canada.
Toronto, Ontario
Definitely take a look at real estate in Toronto if you want to settle down among diverse people. There are over 2.9 million people living in the city, and data shows that around 51% of them are immigrants. Over 140 languages are spoken here.
Toronto is widely considered the most diverse city in the world.
Longueuil, Quebec
More than 17% of the population in Longueuil are immigrants, which may not seem like a lot compared to Toronto. However, the population of the city is only 240,000, compared to Toronto’s nearly 3 million.
This population has more than doubled over the past six years thanks to immigration. The lower cost of living in Longueuil makes it appealing for those looking to relocate.
Montreal, Quebec
Though Toronto is the multicultural gem of the country, Montreal is fast catching up. One third of the city’s population was born outside the country.
Within the city limits, immigrants from Italy form the largest group of foreign-born Montrealers. Add another 200,000 residents of Greater Montreal with Italian ancestry, and you get Canada’s second biggest Italian community, only after Toronto’s.
Markham, Ontario
Yet another city in Ontario is marked as one of the most diverse. For every 10 residents, only three will be Caucasian. More than 70 percent of the city’s residents are considered visible minorities.
It’s also an affluent area, with more than 1,000 high tech and life science firms and major employers like IBM, TD Waterhouse, Johnson & Johnson, and American Express. Development has been so robust that the city has registered the lowest tax increase over the last six years of any municipality in the greater Toronto area.
Mississauga, Ontario
Immigrants have played a major role in the building of Mississauga since its founding. The first settlers were American-born Loyalists and British immigrants. The 1840s and 1850s saw a wave of Irish immigrants fleeing the Potato Famine, and at roughly the same time freed or escaped slaves were entering Canada to start a new life.
Today, 57 percent of residents are visible minorities.
This cultural melting pot is reflected in the arts and entertainment in the city. Its vibrant arts community is promoted by the Mississauga Arts Council, which holds the annual MARTYs awards to celebrate the city’s entertainers, artists, filmmakers, writers, and musicians.
