Page 59 - IJPS-11-6

International Journal of
Population Studies Migration to non-metropolitan Canada

towns,” “smaller cities,” and “villages,” to the classic notions be associated with the settlement locations of newcomers
of gemeinschaft and gesellschaft, which differentiates the as family-class immigrants (immigrants who are sponsored
social relations in space as settlements become more by a family member who is a Canadian citizen) tend to
urbanized (Tönnies, 1963). follow the established settlement locations of their family
Research is emerging on immigrant settlements members (Sapeha, 2017), while the initial settlement
outside of metropolitan areas. Specific terms such as locations of refugees tend to be federally determined
“new immigrant destinations” (Winders, 2014) – which (Kaida et al., 2020).
refer to areas without a historical pattern of immigrant Researchers have focused on the effectiveness of
settlement but are now experiencing demographic growth immigration policies of various scales in facilitating the
through immigration – or “aspiring gateways” – which dispersion of immigrants to less populated areas (Carter et al.,
describe places that actively seek to attract immigrants – 2008; Okonny-Myers, 2010; Pandey & Townshend, 2011;
highlight the different dynamics of immigration. These Shannon, 2015; Zhuang, 2023). The Canadian Constitution
concepts distinguish between municipalities based on mandates immigration under federal jurisdiction (i.e.,
their experience with immigration and the intentionality admission and setting of immigration quotas, funding
behind using immigration as a facilitator of population of programs and resources toward immigrant affairs),
and demographic change. Drolet and Teixeira (2022, mandated through the responsibility of Immigration,
p. 488) outlined four characteristics that may classify a Citizenship, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The
“smaller city.” According to those authors, a smaller city responsibilities of immigration affairs have been delegated
consists of: (i) “a discernable downtown core,” (ii) “an to lower jurisdictions such as provincial governments (i.e.,
authentic, locally celebrated history in a place physically the Provincial Nominee Program, which allows provinces
separate from metropolitan centers,” (iii) “a measurable to determine immigrant sponsorship through fulfilling
level of cultural participation, including a tradition of labor demands). Although immigration is constitutionally
volunteerism, growth coalitions, and leadership,” and a federal responsibility, local municipalities are the sites
(iv) “a creative cultural policy that links the city’s center and of receiving immigrants (Zhuang, 2021). Immigration
heritage to its outlying areas and communities.” Although programs and incentives such as the Atlantic Immigration
these definitions of population centers and localities of Pilot Program and Provincial Nominee Programs play a
settlement acknowledge numeric metrics and, to an extent, role in attracting and retaining the settlement of immigrants
processes of migration to a locality, a construct definition to smaller cities and regions to stimulate population and
that broadly acknowledges the implications of ethnic and economic growth. Labor-based migration also plays a role
cultural differences as demographics in the community in the settlement of immigrants in smaller cities (Carter
can be elaborated. et al., 2008; Pandey & Townsend, 2011; Pottie-Sherman
& Graham, 2021). Walton-Roberts (2005) reinforced the
1.1.2. Demographic change through immigrant importance of the local community and economic context
settlement in Canadian communities as contributing determinants of retaining immigrants in

Immigrants to Canada had predominantly settled in large smaller cities. Pottie-Sherman & Graham (2021) explored
gateway cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. aspiring gateways, referring to peripheral cities, such as
These cities offer greater access to ethnic networks and those in Atlantic Canada, where aspiring gateways are
cultural amenities (e.g., ethnic grocery stores, restaurants, proactively striving to attract and retain immigrants as
and places of worship), which serve as competitive a means to counter demographic challenges. The uneven
attractions for immigrant settlement compared to smaller distribution of immigrants in Canada concentrated in
cities (Agrawal & Kurtz, 2019; Bauder & Sharpe, 2002; larger cities further marginalizes smaller cities and regions
Derwing & Krahn, 2008; Hou & Bourne, 2006; Hyndman affecting their economic prosperity and social stability,
et al., 2006; Zhuang, 2021). Accordingly, Canadian hence calling for the need for further inquiry (Brown, 2017;
research on immigrant settlement has focused on gateway George et al., 2017; Graham & Pottie-Sherman, 2021; Patel
cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver (Allen et al., 2019; Pottie-Sherman & Graham, 2021; Teixeira
et al., 2021; Hiebert, 2017; Rose & Preston, 2017; Zhuang & Drolet, 2018; Wagner & Growe, 2021; Zhuang, 2023;
& Chen, 2017) and larger cities such as Ottawa, Winnipeg, Zhuang & Lok, 2023).
Calgary, and Edmonton (Agrawal & Kurtz, 2019; Simpson,
2017; Veronis, 2019). Other factors shaping immigrant 1.1.3. Immigrants and place satisfaction
settlement decisions include perceptions of quality of life The settlement choices and place-based preferences of
(Derwing & Krahn, 2008) and employment opportunities immigrants are closely linked to their perceptions of
(Beine & Coulombe, 2018). Immigration status may also place satisfaction. Place satisfaction refers to “a summary

Volume 11 Issue 6 (2025) 53 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.6309