According to the latest census information available from 2021, North Bay has a population of 52,662. The immigrant population was 2,615, of which only 130 were from India. Since then, that number has probably increased tenfold. We won't know for sure until the next census is taken in 2026 and the results are published in 2027.
Anyone with average eyesight can see it on the street.
India is currently the leading source of new permanent residents to Canada. We see it in the North Bay, and they see it in Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie and elsewhere.
John Ibbitson's May 10 Globe and Mail column cited this data. India, once one of the top supplier countries, now leads by a wide margin.
In 2001, China was the top supplier with 40,315 people, followed by India in second place with 27,848 people and Pakistan in third place with 15,341 people. In 2006, it was followed by China, India, and the Philippines.
In 2011, the Philippines was the leader, followed by China and India. In 2016, the Philippines still ranked first, followed by India and Syria.
In 2021, India accounted for 32% of the total, with 127,933 new permanent residents. China followed with 31,001 people and the Philippines with 18,021 people. China accounted for 8% of the total, and the Philippines 4%.
India is very hot, overcrowded as the world's most populous country, and wages are low compared to Canada. This explains why many people want to retire in search of a better life, but of course there are many other factors.
Recent local news coverage of North Bay cricket shows that the players are not from England or Australia. They are primarily from India, but also come from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean.
See also “North Bay Panthers look for home as cricket grows locally”
A wall map of my client's country of origin tells a story visually. I have one client from Australia and one client from New Zealand. They don't migrate to Canada in large numbers.
In comparison, India has 95 cases and the Philippines has 43 cases. Of these, 17 are Bangladeshi and six are Pakistani. These numbers do not include family members.
The remaining 354 people are scattered around the world: 18 from Mexico, 21 from South American countries, 20 from African countries, and 17 from Caribbean and Central American countries. Only 7 people came from China.
According to the latest census information available from 2021, North Bay has a population of 52,662. The immigrant population was 2,615, of which only 130 were from India. Since then, that number has probably increased tenfold. We won't know for sure until the next census is taken in 2026 and the results are published in 2027.
Global conditions change immigration patterns, and so do Canada's federal immigration patterns.
We've seen an increase in people from India locally over the past few years, people are coming to Canadore College and to a lesser extent Nipissing College to study, graduate, get post-graduation work permits, and then We have seen that this is a direct result of applying. for permanent residence.
Immigrant pilots from the region and the north are the main reason they want to study in North Bay. This allows you to obtain permanent residency with far fewer competitors than the Express Entry category or state candidate programs.
Canadore University also had thousands of international students at its public-private partner universities in the GTA, but that cash cow is now gone with a recent federal order that means those studying at private universities won't be able to get work permits after graduation.
The number of international students in Ontario is expected to be cut in half this fall, which will impact Canadore's North Bay operations.
Ibbitson's Globe and Mail column notes that China is investing in post-secondary education and its strong economy keeps most students at home. India is trying something similar, but so far it has not had the same success as China.
He said the surge from India could end soon, citing cuts in study permits for international students and sanctions on private universities.
Will the number of students coming to North Bay from India decrease? Probably, but they will continue to participate because of Canadore's strong reputation and his RNIP program, which will be renamed this fall.
See also: New immigration pilot targets rural areas
The city needs them. Many are registered nurses from India who come here to undergo Canadore's medical program as a means to obtain work permits and permanent residence. They end up working as personal support workers while navigating all the bureaucratic hurdles of the profession to become an RN again.
PSWs and RNs, like almost all medical professionals, are in high demand. I also have clients from India who are dentists, IT professionals, pharmacists, and accountants, all of whom are in demand in our city.
My prediction is that many students who were attracted to private universities in the GTA will come to North Bay instead because it is an RNIP city.
I have written extensively about RNIP. If you don't know what RNIP is, check out my previous columns in the archives or visit the website at www.northbayrnip.ca.
Editor's note: Don Currie is a regulated Canadian immigration consultant in North Bay and a member of Bay Today's Community Advisory Board.
