Immigrants are making significant contribution to Canada’s charities

 

Canada is ranked #1 worldwide for the quality of life in 2021 as per the US News and World Report.

This year's research and rankings are based on how countries are perceived globally in terms of a variety of qualitative traits, impressions that have the ability to promote commerce, travel, and investment, as well as have a direct impact on national economies. The paper examines the perspectives of 78 countries.

The table below has details of the scores acquired by Canada under various parameters

Category	Rank	Score
Adventure	50.0	#19
Agility	97.2	#3
Cultural Influence	49.3	#14
Entrepreneurship	83.9	#6
Heritage	30.9	#33
Movers	24.0	#46
Open for Business	83.9	#3
Power	41.1	#12
Quality of Life	100.0	#1
Social Purpose	100.0	#1

According to the report, Canada is the best country for quality of life. The country's charities and non-profit organizations play an important part in maintaining the high standard of living.

Around 2 million people are employed by Canada's 170,000 registered charities and non-profits. Thirteen million Canadian volunteers give their time and a portion of their income to help deserving projects in the charitable sector.

 Canada relies on immigrants as an important source of workers for keeping the charities and non-profits running in Canada.

Increase in the number of immigrants employed in social services and charitable organizations [between 2006 and 2016]*
Canada	39%
Nunavut	267%
Newfoundland and Labrador	183%
Saskatchewan	148%
Manitoba	118%
Northwest Territories	93%
Alberta	75%
Quebec	74%
New Brunswick	50%
Nova Scotia	43%
Prince Edward Island	35%
British Columbia	23%
Ontario	17%
Yukon	7%

*As per Statistics Canada, 2016 Census.

Here is a summary of the research done by Statistics Canada as part pf Census 2016 on this aspect:

• More than one-fourth of those working in the social assistance sector, as well as almost one-fifth of those working in social advocacy, civic, social, and giving-related organizations, were born outside of Canada.
• The number of foreign-born social and community sector professionals increased by 58 percent between 2006 and 2016.
• Newcomers are also contributing. Immigrants, on average, give more to charity than Canadian-born citizens.
• When asked why they give money to charities, immigrants cited sympathy for those in need, personal belief in the charity's objective, and a desire to give back to the community as the top three reasons.
• Every year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants around the country donate their time to philanthropic causes.
• In fact, roughly a quarter of all immigrants aged 15 and up volunteer. These individuals will volunteer an average of 162 hours each year.

Here are profiles of two famous Canadian immigrants known for their philanthropic work and contribution to charities:

1. Michael Lee-Chin, Portland Holdings' Founder, President, and Chairman is a Jamaican-Canadian millionaire. His contributions to Canadian institutions and hospitals such as McMaster University and the University of Toronto, as well as the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation and the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation, have left an indelible mark. He has received multiple honorary doctorates and has been awarded the Order of Jamaica and the Order of Ontario, among other honors.

2.Aditya Jha, originally from India, is a successful Canadian entrepreneur who formed the POA Educational Foundation, which supports a variety of educational, business, and governance projects.

Immigrants contribute to every sphere of life in Canada including charities, it is no wonder that they are highly respected in the country.