Canada's immigration patterns, 1955 to Present

Overview

This E-STAT activity examines how the source of immigrants to Canada has changed. In 1955, most immigrants to Canada came from Europe, while today, the majority come from Asia.

Contributor: Chris Drummond, Statistics Canada Support Teacher.

Objectives

• To introduce students to retrieving and graphing multiple CANSIM tables.
• To impress upon students the ever-changing cultural diversity of the population.
• To have students understand some of the reasons for immigration and emigration.

Suggested grade levels and subject area

Intermediate
Geography of Canada, Human Diversity Unit

Outcomes

Students will

• access E-STAT data on the computer;
• produce two line graphs;
• analyse the two line graphs; and
• answer the questions based on the data shown in the line graphs.

Vocabulary

Emigration — to leave one's own country to settle in another.
Immigration — to become a permanent resident of a country other than one's native land.

Materials

• This activity assumes that E-STAT is available. If computer access is limited, students can work from teacher-generated tables.
• Student worksheet (Retrieving immigration data, using CANSIM Table 051-0006 in E-STAT)

Resources

• Computers with Internet access.

Classroom instructions

1. Distribute copies of the worksheet to your students.
2. Review the definitions in the vocabulary list.
3. Using a projection unit with your computer, review the E-STAT procedures required to complete this exercise.
4. Have students enter E-STAT and complete the worksheet.
5. Teach students about possible reasons for emigration and immigration.
6. Optional — students can hand in their worksheets for grading.

Evaluation

Grade the students' line graphs.
Grade the students' answers to the four questions on the student worksheet.

Please e-mail comments or examples of how you used this exercise in your class.

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