Overcoming Borders and Barriers: A Study of Immigrant Integration with a Focus on South Asian Communities in the Toronto CMA.
According to the 2021 Census of Population, 57% of the 6.1 million residents in the Toronto CMA identify as belonging to a visible minority group. Among these, the top three visible minority groups are South Asian (1,182,485), Chinese (679,725), and African (488,155) communities. The South Asian population has experienced substantial growth within the CMA. In the 2001 Census, there were 473,810 South Asians in a population of 4.68 million, representing approximately 10%. By the 2021 Census, this number had increased to 1,182,485 South Asians, constituting 19% of a total population of 6,202,225—an increase of 90% over the past two decades. Given their significant size, it is valuable to examine the social and economic circumstances of South Asian immigrants from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and to assess their settlement patterns and degree of integration within the broader society.
This research aims to delve into the experiences of South Asian immigrants across various stages of integration. Specifically, the study seeks to achieve three objectives:
- Examine the settlement patterns of South Asian immigrants in the Toronto CMA: This objective focuses on understanding how South Asian immigrants have settled in the region and how their communities have evolved.
- Analyze the evolving food landscape of the Toronto CMA in response to the increasing demand for ethnic foods: This part of the study will focus on the changing dynamics of the food retail sector in the Toronto CMA, particularly in response to the rising demand for ethnic foods. This includes analyzing the spread of South Asian grocery stores and restaurants in the CMA.
- Assess South Asian representation in Canada’s political realm: The final part of the research focuses on the political participation and representation of South Asians in the CMA. This research contributes to a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities for visible minorities in shaping the political landscape and the inclusivity of political institutions and policies.
