Immigration and Employment in Canada, Provinces and Cities

Does Bilingualism Mean Greater Employability?

Part 1

Jack Jedwab

Executive Director

April 2008

A recent survey commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that a majority of Canadians believe that: “ learning a language helps you get a better job”. Nine in ten francophones agree with that statement as do approximately eight in ten anglophones (79%) and allophones (83%). But while it might help you get a better job, in most parts of Canada, the lack of ability to speak both official languages does not appear to be a major obstacle to securing employment. This is important because securing employment is considered an essential element of integration and in particular is regarded as the most characteristic when it comes to immigrant adaptation to the society. In that which follows we will examine the degree to which language knowledge plays a role in unemployment rates. In the second part of the study we look at the gaps between immigrants and non-immigrants in terms of unemployment across the country. It is important to bear in mind that the findings below are focused on issues of unemployment rather than what might be described as “opportunity” or “mobility” which pertains to the type of employment and the level of remuneration. These matters will be the object of a forthcoming report as the data is made available.

Overall the 2006 census reveals that Canadians between the age of 35 and 44 with a university degree that know both English and French have virtually no edge in terms of unemployment in the country over those that report knowledge of English and French and a some advantage over those reporting knowledge of French only. Of course given the concentration of anglophones and francophones in certain parts of the county it is widely assumed that in those areas where the two language groups are in closer contact that knowledge of both official languages will be essential to employment. That is likely true in some professions, but clearly does not apply across the board even where there is proximity between members of the two language groups. Looking at most provinces and major cities across Canada when controlling for education and age (looking at persons with university degrees between the ages of 35 and 44) for the most part those reporting knowledge of English and French have lower rates of unemployment than counterparts reporting only English or only French. Moreover, according to the 2006 census unilingual English Montrealers and Quebec City residents (between the ages of 35 and 44 with university degrees) had the highest rates of unemployment of any group speaking English only in any major city in Canada. In Toronto those reporting knowledge of French only also have not fared particularly well in terms of their rate of employment

However there is a major caveat in support of the thesis that knowledge of English and French makes for more employability. As observed below that notion appears to be true for allophones (which include an important share of immigrants and visible minorities) but not so much for anglophones and francophones in most parts of the country (with a minority of immigrants and visible minorities).

Table 1

Mother tongue University certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Knowledge of official languages / English only / French only / English and French
Canada / 4.1 / 4.0 / 5.0 / 3.9
Montréal / 6.0 / 9.3 / 7.8 / 5.3
Quebec / 4.9 / 9.0 / 5.0 / 4.5
Toronto / 4.6 / 4.7 / 9.4 / 3.7
Vancouver / 4.6 / 4.6 / - / 3.3
British Columbia / 4.2 / 4.2 / - / 3.2
Ontario / 4.1 / 4.3 / 6.0 / 3.3
Nova Scotia / 3.7 / 3.7 / - / 3.7
Ottawa, Ontario / 3.6 / 4.1 / 7.8 / 2.9
Halifax / 3.4 / 3.4 / - / 3.3
Ottawa - Gatineau CMA / 3.3 / 4.1 / 4.7 / 2.5
Calgary / 3.2 / 3.2 / - / 3.2
Winnipeg / 3.0 / 3.0 / - / 2.8
Edmonton / 3.0 / 3.1 / - / 2.5
Ville de Québec / 2.9 / 18.2 / 2.2 / 3.3
Manitoba / 2.9 / 2.9 / - / 2.3
Alberta / 2.9 / 2.9 / 20.0 / 2.6
Moncton / 2.8 / 2.6 / - / 3.1
New Brunswick / 2.4 / 2.2 / - / 2.7
Fredericton / 2.4 / 2.4 / - / 2.1
Saskatchewan / 2.3 / 2.3 / - / 2.1
Regina / 2.3 / 2.7 / - / 0.0
Gatineau / 2.1 / 5.6 / 3.5 / 1.7

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Upon closer examination of the 2006 census data by correlating mother tongue with language knowledge (controlling for education and age) the unemployment gaps between francophones and anglophones are relatively unimportant and very surprisingly on a national scale unilingual anglophones and francophones have unemployment rates that are quite similar to those reporting knowledge of English and French. It is amongst allophones that the gaps are substantial and that is especially true for those who report knowledge of French only.

Table 2

Mother tongue, Knowledge of official languages with University certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Canada / Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Knowledge of official languages / 4.1 / 2.8 / 2.6 / 6.7
English only / 4.0 / 2.7 / - / 6.0
French only / 5.0 / - / 2.5 / 22.5
English and French / 3.9 / 3.4 / 2.6 / 7.6
Neither English nor French / 13.5 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 13.7

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In Quebecthere is a 6 point gap in the rate of unemployment between those Quebec anglophones reporting knowledge of English only and allophones with similar language knowledge and the same gap for anglophone and allophone bilinguals. The gap between francophones with knowledge of French only and those allophones that know French only is around 20 –points and between francophones reporting knowledge of both English and French and allophones with knowledge of both official languages the gap is reduced to 7.5 points. Undoubtedly the differences are attributable to immigrant status, time of arrival and visible minority identification. However since we have controlled for education and age the gaps remain disconcerting and suggest strongly that contrary to popular assumptions language knowledge may not be the principal obstacle in securing employment and hence in ensuring “successful” integration.

Table 3

QuébecUniversity certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 4.9 / 4.9 / 2.6 / 12.0
English only / 9.0 / 4.5 / - / 10.6
French only / 5.0 / 0.0 / 2.6 / 23.0
English and French / 4.5 / 4.9 / 2.6 / 10.2
Neither English nor French / 23.1 / - / - / 23.1

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

As regards the rate of unemployment in 2006 in Montreal when controlling for age and level of education one observes the very substantial gap between unilingual francophones and allophones that are able to speak only French rising above 20 points while the gap between the francophones that are bilingual and the allophones that are bilingual is 7.4 points. As observed below the gap between the anglophones that report English only knowledge and those allophones with knowledge of English only is just over 6 points. Francophones that are bilingual have an edge over anglophones with the same language background.

Table 4

MontréalUniversity certificate, diploma or degreeUnemployment rate
35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / Anglophone / Francophone / Allophone
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 6,0 / 5,1 / 2,9 / 12,1
English only / 9,3 / 4,3 / - / 10,7
French only / 7,8 / - / 3,1 / 24,7
English and French / 5,3 / 5,2 / 2,8 / 10,2

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In Quebec City the bigger gap is between anglophones that speak French and allophones that speak English only though there is an important gap between francophones and allophones bilingual and unilingual alike.

Table 5

QuébecCityUniversity certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 2.9 / 2.7 / 2.3 / 13.5
English only / 18.2 / - / - / 20.0
French only / 2.2 / 0.0 / 1.7 / 13.1
English and French / 3.3 / 3.6 / 2.6 / 13.6
Neither English nor French / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In other parts of Quebecthe gaps are equally disconcerting in for example in Sherbrooke where the gap is nearly 30 points between the unilingual francophone and allophones that speak French only.

Table 6

SherbrookeUniversity certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 4.5 / 5.7 / 2.5 / 21.6
English only / - / - / - / -
French only / 4.3 / - / 1.1 / 30.0
English and French / 4.2 / 6.1 / 3.0 / 14.0

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

It is interesting to observe that the gaps are much narrower in the Gatineau region where allophones speaking French only are 6 points behind unilingual francophones.

Table 7

Ottawa - Gatineau (Que. part - PartieQc) University certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 2.1 / 3.2 / 1.2 / 6.7
English only / 5.6 / 4.8 / - / 6.6
French only / 3.5 / - / 2.5 / 8.7
English and French / 1.7 / 2.3 / 0.9 / 6.6
Neither English nor French / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In Ottawa, Ontario the gaps are also relatively narrow but it is worth noting that anglophones that speak French have similar rates of unemployment as those who do not speak the language. Also the lowest rate of unemployment is amongst francophones who speak both English and French.

Table 8

Ottawa - Gatineau (Ont. part - Partie Ont.) University certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 3.6 / 2.9 / 1.5 / 5.8
English only / 4.1 / 2.9 / - / 6.0
French only / 7.8 / - / 3.6 / -
English and French / 2.9 / 2.9 / 1.5 / 4.9

In New Brunswick unilingual anglophones and francophones are more likely to be employed than their bilingual counterparts.

Table 9

Mother tongue, Knowledge of official languages with University certificate, diploma or degree and Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
New Brunswick / Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 2.4 / 2.5 / 2.0 / 4.0
English only / 2.2 / 2.1 / - / 3.2
French only / 0.0 / - / 1.5 / -
English and French / 2.7 / 3.5 / 2.1 / 4.7
Neither English nor French / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0 / 0.0

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In Toronto bilingualism amongst anglophones does not result differential rates of unemployment. Allophones who speak French only have disproportionately high rates of unemployment.

Table 10

TorontoUniversity certificate, diploma or degree Unemployment rate 35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 4.6 / 2.9 / 2.5 / 5.9
English only / 4.7 / 2.9 / - / 6.0
French only / 9.4 / - / - / 15.4
English and French / 3.7 / 3.1 / 2.4 / 4.7

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Language, Education and Unemployment

As observed below level of education plays an important role across all language groups in Montreal in terms of employment. In the case of allophones however persons with university degrees have higher rates of unemployment than those with a high school degree.

Table 11

Rate of Unemployment by mother tongue in Montrealaged 35-44 by level of education, 2006

Montreal 35-44
Unemploy-ment rate / Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree / 6,2 / 5,9 / 4,1 / 11,2
No certificate, diploma or degree / 10,5 / 10,9 / 8,3 / 16,0
High school certificate or equivalent / 6,3 / 6,8 / 4,5 / 10,6
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma / 5,8 / 7,4 / 4,7 / 9,0
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma / 4,5 / 4,5 / 3,1 / 8,7
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level / 6,1 / 4,5 / 3,5 / 11,5
University certificate, diploma or degree / 6,0 / 5,1 / 2,9 / 12,1

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Beyond high school employment rates amongst persons reporting knowledge of English only drop but vary little thereafter. Amongst those speaking French only persons with university degrees have higher rates of unemployment than high school graduates and persons with apprenticeship or college degrees. In the case of bilingual Montrealers higher education does result in lower rates of unemployment.

Table 12

Rate of Unemployment by knowledge of official languages in Montreal aged 35-44 by level of education, 2006

Montreal 35-44
Unemploy-ment rate / English only / French Only / Both English and French
Total - Highest certificate, diploma or degree / 11,1 / 6,7 / 3,8
No certificate, diploma or degree / 15,9 / 10,3 / 7,6
High school certificate or equivalent / 12,4 / 6,1 / 4,5
Apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma / 9,5 / 5,3 / 5,4
College, CEGEP or other non-university certificate or diploma / 11,4 / 4,8 / 3,2
University certificate or diploma below the bachelor level / 8,2 / 7,3 / 3,6
University certificate, diploma or degree / 9,3 / 7,8 / 2,8

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Part 2

Immigration and Unemployment in Canada, Provinces and Cities

Jack Jedwab

Association for Canadian Studies

April 2008

Between 2001 and 2006 it is observed that the overall unemployment rate for anglophones, francophones and allophones age 35-44 (education levels are not controlled below) in Montreal dropped slightly in light of the improved economic situation. As observed below each group and sub-group benefited with the exception of those allophones that report knowledge of French only (it is worth noting that the rate of unemployment for allophones reporting knowledge of French and English remained virtually unchanged). Below we focus on the same age group but do not control for the level of education. As mentioned above it is safe to conclude that much of the gap in employment between allophones and “non-allophones” is attributable to immigrant status and length of time in Canada (some describe these characteristics as “Canadian experience”).

Table 1

Montreal Unemployment rate35 to 44 years
Total - Mother tongue / English / French / Non-official language
Total - Knowledge of official languages / 2006 / 6.2 / 5.9 / 4.1 / 11.2
2001 / 6.6 / 7.0 / 5.0 / 12.0
English Only / 2006 / 11.1 / 8.3 / - / 12.5
2001 / 14.1 / 11.1 / - / 16.5
French Only / 2006 / 6.7 / - / 4.5 / 18.6
2001 / 7.8 / - / 6.4 / 18.1
English and French / 2006 / 5.3 / 5.4 / 3.8 / 8.6
2001 / 5.3 / 5.8 / 4.2 / 8.7

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Between 2001 and 2006 unemployment rates came down across the country despite relatively important levels of immigration to Canada thus making it difficult to argue that newcomers fuel unemployment. That does not mean however that non-immigrants and immigrants benefited to relatively similar degrees from the economic upswing.

In 2006 the unemployment rate for

As observed below when comparing the provinces (and controlling for age) it is Quebec with the biggest gap between immigrant and non-immigrant and in the 2001-2006 cohort the difference with the total immigrant group is especially pronounced.

Table 2

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

When comparing various CMA’s across Canadait is in Sherbrooke, Quebec where one encounters the biggest gap between immigrant and non-immigrant. As to those who arrived between 2001 to 2006, Sherbrooke has the highest rate of unemployment followed by Montreal and then Kingston and Windsor, Ontario. Ottawa makes the top ten in ninth spot with Vancouver finishing 10th. Regina and Calgary fared best in terms of the unemployment rate of immigrants arriving between 2001 and 2006.

Table 3

Unemployment rate-35 to 44 years
2006 / Total - Immigrant status and period of immigration / Non-immigrants / Immigrants / Before 1991 / 1991 to 1995 / 1996 to 2000 / 2001 to 2006
Canada / 5,2 / 4,8 / 6,4 / 4,4 / 5,5 / 6,7 / 11,6
Sherbrooke / 5,9 / 5,1 / 16,4 / 4,7 / 4,5 / 13,0 / 32,8
Montréal / 6,2 / 4,2 / 11,9 / 6,9 / 9,7 / 11,0 / 21,5
Kingston / 4,3 / 4,0 / 5,8 / 2,3 / 3,4 / 3,1 / 16,0
Windsor / 6,7 / 5,4 / 9,8 / 6,9 / 8,8 / 11,6 / 15,2
Gatineau Que. / 4,1 / 3,5 / 8,6 / 5,2 / 9,7 / 8,6 / 14,1
Québec / 3,8 / 3,5 / 9,4 / 6,7 / 8,7 / 7,4 / 13,6
Victoria / 3,8 / 3,5 / 4,7 / 3,1 / 3,3 / 4,6 / 12,3
London / 4,4 / 4,0 / 5,7 / 3,3 / 5,7 / 8,4 / 11,7
Ottawa - Gatineau CMA / 4,1 / 3,3 / 6,6 / 4,3 / 6,9 / 7,5 / 11,5
Ottawa Ont. / 4,1 / 3,2 / 6,3 / 4,2 / 6,5 / 7,3 / 10,9
Vancouver / 4,5 / 3,6 / 5,5 / 4,0 / 4,0 / 5,5 / 10,2
Toronto / 5,1 / 3,9 / 6,1 / 4,3 / 5,4 / 6,4 / 10,1
Halifax / 4,5 / 4,3 / 5,9 / 4,0 / 4,0 / 6,4 / 9,9
St. Catharines - Niagara / 4,6 / 4,2 / 6,6 / 5,2 / 7,7 / 6,0 / 9,8
Kitchener / 4,0 / 3,4 / 5,4 / 3,6 / 4,5 / 7,0 / 9,7
Hamilton / 4,5 / 4,2 / 5,6 / 4,8 / 4,2 / 6,5 / 9,1
Thunder Bay / 5,7 / 5,8 / 4,3 / 3,6 / 4,4 / 7,4 / 9,1
Guelph / 4,3 / 3,7 / 6,1 / 3,5 / 4,7 / 12,4 / 9,0
Winnipeg / 3,5 / 3,3 / 4,3 / 3,4 / 3,1 / 2,6 / 8,2
Edmonton / 3,4 / 3,2 / 4,0 / 3,1 / 3,2 / 3,7 / 7,9
Oshawa / 3,8 / 3,9 / 3,2 / 2,5 / 3,7 / 3,5 / 7,7
Calgary / 3,0 / 2,6 / 4,0 / 2,2 / 2,7 / 4,2 / 7,3
Regina / 3,1 / 3,0 / 4,3 / 3,5 / 7,0 / 3,4 / 4,8

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

When we control further for university degree holders, in 2006 for non-immigrants and immigrants between the ages of 35 and 44, Quebec has the biggest gaps in rates in unemployment and the situation confronting those who arrived in the province between 2001 and 2006 is of particular concern. Although a distant second, there is a noteworthy gap in British Columbia between immigrant and non-immigrant with Ontario in third place in this regard.

Table 4

Unemployment rate35 to 44 yearsUniversity certificate, diploma or degree / Total - Immigrant status and period of immigration / Non-immigrants / Immigrants / Before 1991 / 1991 to 1995 / 1996 to 2000 / 2001 to 2006
Canada / 4,1 / 2,6 / 6,6 / 3,3 / 4,2 / 5,9 / 11,4
Quebec / 4,9 / 2,6 / 12,1 / 4,5 / 7,0 / 9,4 / 21,4
British Columbia / 4,2 / 2,6 / 6,1 / 3,7 / 3,7 / 5,7 / 9,9
Ontario / 4,1 / 2,6 / 5,9 / 3,0 / 4,0 / 5,7 / 9,9
Manitoba / 2,8 / 2,3 / 4,6 / 3,1 / 2,0 / 2,9 / 8,5
Nova Scotia / 3,7 / 3,4 / 6,0 / 4,2 / 6,8 / 8,3 / 7,4
Alberta / 2,9 / 2,2 / 4,2 / 2,0 / 2,7 / 3,2 / 7,1
New Brunswick / 2,4 / 2,3 / 3,3 / 1,6 / 8,0 / 3,8 / 6,8
Saskatchewan / 2,3 / 2,2 / 2,7 / 2,5 / 4,8 / 2,1 / 3,3

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

Looking at census metropolitan areas, Montreal fares worst followed by Windsor, Ontario and Quebec City in regard to the gap in rates of unemployment between immigrant and non-immigrants.

Table 5

Immigrant status and period of immigration Unemployment rateUniversity certificate, diploma or degree35 to 44 years
Total / Non-immigrants / Immigrants / Before 1991 / 1991 to 1995 / 1996 to 2000 / 2001 to 2006
Canada / 4,1 / 2,6 / 6,6 / 3,3 / 4,2 / 5,9 / 11,4
Montréal / 6,0 / 2,9 / 12,5 / 4,6 / 7,2 / 9,2 / 22,1
Windsor / 6,2 / 3,2 / 10,8 / 4,1 / 10,7 / 10,9 / 17,1
Québec / 2,9 / 2,3 / 10,7 / 2,7 / 8,6 / 11,3 / 16,5
Victoria / 3,7 / 3,0 / 5,9 / 2,0 / 5,6 / 6,7 / 12,3
St. Catharines - Niagara / 3,6 / 2,4 / 6,6 / 3,3 / 5,6 / 6,2 / 11,7
London / 4,1 / 2,8 / 7,8 / 3,4 / 9,2 / 8,5 / 11,0
Gatineau / 2,1 / 1,1 / 6,8 / 4,5 / 6,8 / 6,2 / 10,8
Vancouver / 4,6 / 2,4 / 6,2 / 3,9 / 3,6 / 5,8 / 10,2
Guelph / 4,8 / 3,5 / 8,5 / 3,1 / 5,0 / 13,5 / 10,1
Ottawa CMA / 3,3 / 2,2 / 5,8 / 3,5 / 4,7 / 6,0 / 9,7
Ottawa / 3,6 / 2,6 / 5,6 / 3,5 / 4,7 / 6,0 / 9,7
Toronto / 4,6 / 2,7 / 5,9 / 3,0 / 3,7 / 5,4 / 9,7
Hamilton / 3,7 / 2,7 / 5,9 / 4,1 / 5,1 / 4,5 / 9,5
Winnipeg / 3,0 / 2,2 / 5,1 / 3,3 / 2,2 / 2,8 / 9,4
Edmonton / 3,0 / 2,1 / 4,8 / 1,5 / 3,8 / 3,3 / 9,3
Kitchener / 3,8 / 2,4 / 6,2 / 3,3 / 1,6 / 7,3 / 8,7
Manitoba / 2,8 / 2,3 / 4,6 / 3,1 / 2,0 / 2,9 / 8,5
Halifax / 3,4 / 3,0 / 5,9 / 4,2 / 0,0 / 9,8 / 7,5
Nova Scotia / 3,7 / 3,4 / 6,0 / 4,2 / 6,8 / 8,3 / 7,4
Alberta / 2,9 / 2,2 / 4,2 / 2,0 / 2,7 / 3,2 / 7,1
New Brunswick / 2,4 / 2,3 / 3,3 / 1,6 / 8,0 / 3,8 / 6,8
Calgary / 3,2 / 2,6 / 4,2 / 2,1 / 2,4 / 3,1 / 6,8
Regina / 2,4 / 2,0 / 4,7 / 5,1 / 10,8 / 3,6 / 5,0
Saskatchewan / 2,3 / 2,2 / 2,7 / 2,5 / 4,8 / 2,1 / 3,3

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

As to the employment experience of those who have studied outside of Canada the rate of unemployment is highest in Quebec, followed again in a distant second by British Columbia and Ontario.

Table 6

Studied Outside of Canada Unemployment rate for Canadians and by immigrant status and period of immigration 35 to 44 years 2006

Total / Immigrants / Before 1991 / 1991 to 2000 / 1991 to 1995 / 1996 to 2000 / 2001 to 2006
Canada / 7,2 / 7,8 / 4,1 / 5,2 / 4,0 / 5,7 / 11,3
Quebec / 13,7 / 15,0 / 6,9 / 7,9 / 6,2 / 8,7 / 21,3
British Columbia / 6,5 / 7,0 / 5,2 / 5,0 / 3,5 / 5,8 / 10,0
Ontario / 6,6 / 7,0 / 3,4 / 5,1 / 3,9 / 5,6 / 9,8
Manitoba / 4,6 / 5,5 / 4,7 / 1,8 / 2,1 / 2,2 / 8,0
Alberta / 4,6 / 4,9 / 1,2 / 2,8 / 2,7 / 2,8 / 7,3
Nova Scotia / 7,2 / 8,5 / - / 7,8 / 8,6 / 7,4 / 6,2

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

As to immigrants and non-immigrants that studied in CanadaPEI has the worst gap in rates of unemployment followed by Quebec. Clearly immigrants that study in Canada have considerably lower rates of unemployment than those who have studied outside of Canada. .

Table 7

Unemployment rateUniversity certificate, diploma or degree
35 to 44 years
Location of stu: Inside Canada / Total / Non-immigrants / Immigrants
Canada / 2,9 / 2,6 / 4,5
Prince Edward Island / 3,0 / 2,6 / 16,7
Quebec / 3,2 / 2,6 / 8,0
Nova Scotia / 3,4 / 3,4 / 4,2
British Columbia / 2,9 / 2,6 / 4,0
Ontario / 2,9 / 2,6 / 3,9
Manitoba / 2,5 / 2,4 / 3,7
Newfoundland and Labrador / 3,8 / 3,8 / 3,6
Saskatchewan / 2,3 / 2,2 / 3,5
Alberta / 2,3 / 2,2 / 2,8
New Brunswick / / 2,2 / 2,3 / 2,0

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006

In Quebec the gap in unemployment between immigrants and non-immigrants that studied in and outside of Canada is biggest.

Table 8

Immigrants 35-44 years of age Location of study: / Inside Canada / Outside of Canada / Difference
Canada / 4,5 / 7.8 / 3.3
Quebec / 8,0 / 15,0 / 7.0
Nova Scotia / 4,2 / 8,5 / 4.3
Ontario / 3,9 / 7,0 / 3.1
British Columbia / 4,0 / 7,0 / 3.0
Alberta / 2,8 / 4,9 / 2.1
Manitoba / 3,7 / 5,5 / 1.8

Source: Statistics Canada, census of Canada, 2006