New study predicts by 2031 more than half of Canadians will be immigrants

A population growth report released by Statistics Canada predicts that by 2031 between 25 per cent and 28 per cent of Canada’s population could be foreign-born.  Between 29 per cent and 32 per cent of the population will be also be visible minorities, a doubling from the levels found in the 2006 census.

Statistics Canada defines visible minorities as "persons, other than aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour."

The changes will mostly be seen in Canada’s three largest metropolitan areas — Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal — where more than 71 per cent of all visible minorities in Canada will live in 2031.

By 2031, first- or second-generation immigrants  will make up 63 per cent of the population in the Toronto census area (up from 43 per cent in 2006) and 59 per cent of Vancouver’s (up from 42 per cent).

In Montreal, visible minorities are expected to make up 31 per cent of the population by 2031 (nearly double the 16 per cent in 2006).

The rise in the number of visible minorities is one indicator that Canada's population is becoming increasingly diverse because of immigration.

Experts are predicting that cities will benefit from the diversity, however, steps need to be taken in order to best integrate migrants into the local job market.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Canadian Visa with the Canadian High Commission London.