Recent Immigrants in Metropolitan Areas: Montreal—A Comparative Profile Based on the 2001 Census

Part D: Participation in the Economy

Participation in the labour market

Labour force participation lower the more recent the arrival

Very recent immigrants are not as active in the labour market as the Canadian-born. The difference is nineteen percentage points for women, and eight for men. Labour force participation of immigrants who have been in Canada for a longer period of time is rather more like that of the Canadian-born, with immigrant women showing lower rates than their Canadian-born counterparts. A pattern of adjustment to and increasing involvement of immigrants in the Canadian labour market with longer stay is evident in all three age groups, for both men and women. Immigrant women have a larger gap to bridge, and do so.

**Table D-1: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—labour force 15 to 64 years of age—age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number)**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	122,480	356,140	210,910	689,520
Immigrants	13,460	76,950	60,180	150,590
Immigrated before 1986	2,510	28,520	46,260	77,290
Immigrated 1986-1995	7,550	31,260	10,950	49,750
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,400	17,170	2,980	23,540
Men
Canadian-born	125,940	382,390	233,710	742,030
Immigrants	14,880	93,080	80,740	188,700
Immigrated before 1986	2,690	31,220	61,300	95,210
Immigrated 1986-1995	8,590	37,360	14,980	60,930
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,610	24,510	4,470	32,580
Total
Canadian-born	248,410	738,520	444,620	1,431,540
Immigrants	28,340	170,030	140,920	339,290
Immigrated before 1986	5,200	59,730	107,550	172,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	16,130	68,620	25,930	110,680
Immigrated 1996-2001	7,010	41,670	7,440	56,120

Note: Tables D-1 to D-14 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed (actively looking for work).

**Table D-2: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	65%	84%	63%	73%	689,520
Immigrants	49%	70%	60%	63%	150,590
Immigrated before 1986	65%	79%	61%	67%	77,290
Immigrated 1986-1995	50%	70%	59%	63%	49,750
Immigrated 1996-2001	40%	58%	50%	54%	23,540
Men
Canadian-born	66%	93%	78%	82%	742,030
Immigrants	52%	87%	80%	80%	188,700
Immigrated before 1986	67%	90%	80%	83%	95,210
Immigrated 1986-1995	52%	89%	81%	79%	60,930
Immigrated 1996-2001	45%	81%	76%	74%	32,580
Total
Canadian-born	66%	88%	70%	78%	1,431,540
Immigrants	51%	78%	70%	71%	339,290
Immigrated before 1986	66%	85%	70%	75%	172,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	51%	79%	70%	71%	110,680
Immigrated 1996-2001	43%	70%	63%	64%	56,120

Labour force participation increased significantly between 1996 and 2001. It increased by about five percentage points for nearly all groups of women. Among men, participation increased most among very recent immigrants: by 5%, compared to 1% for the Canadian-born and 3% for those who landed in 1986-1995.

Figure D-1: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001

Note: Figures D-1 and D-2 describe labour force participation, employment and unemployment in the week before the 2001 Census, May 6-12, 2001. A person is in the labour force if he/she is employed or unemployed, (actively looking for work).

Pattern of adjustment similar for most levels of education

Generally speaking, the higher the level of education the greater the proportion of people who participate in the labour market. This observation holds for the Canadian-born as well as for all three groups of immigrants, with one significant exception. Men who immigrated after 1986 and who at the time of the 2001 Census had only attended elementary school had a higher participation rate than those with some high school.

**Table D-3: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—labour force 15 to 64 years of age—level of education and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area 2001 (number)**
Women
	Less than grade 9	Some high school	High school diploma	College or trade diploma	University degree	Total
Canadian-born	22,740	73,290	187,860	254,280	151,360	689,520
Immigrants	16,880	16,520	31,470	46,510	39,210	150,590
Immigrated before 1986	10,760	7,790	15,980	24,320	18,460	77,290
Immigrated 1986-1995	4,680	6,420	11,150	15,820	11,700	49,750
Immigrated 1996-2001	1,450	2,330	4,350	6,370	9,050	23,540
Men
Canadian-born	39,080	108,960	192,760	254,410	146,840	742,030
Immigrants	19,530	22,190	37,510	54,530	54,960	188,700
Immigrated before 1986	12,380	10,690	18,070	28,880	25,170	95,210
Immigrated 1986-1995	5,460	8,670	13,710	17,270	15,800	60,930
Immigrated 1996-2001	1,690	2,830	5,720	8,380	13,960	32,580
Total
Canadian-born	61,830	182,240	380,610	508,690	298,190	1,431,540
Immigrants	36,410	38,710	68,970	101,040	94,170	339,290
Immigrated before 1986	23,140	18,460	34,060	53,200	43,640	172,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	10,160	15,100	24,850	33,100	27,510	110,680
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,130	5,160	10,060	14,750	23,020	56,120

**Table D-4: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by level of education and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area 2001**
Women
	Less than grade 9	Some high school	High school diploma	College or trade diploma	University degree	Total
Canadian-born	36%	52%	72%	83%	88%	73%
Immigrants	44%	49%	61%	73%	76%	63%
Immigrated before 1986	44%	56%	67%	77%	83%	67%
Immigrated 1986-1995	47%	47%	60%	74%	78%	63%
Immigrated 1996-2001	38%	39%	49%	57%	64%	54%
Men
Canadian-born	60%	68%	82%	90%	92%	82%
Immigrants	70%	68%	78%	86%	86%	80%
Immigrated before 1986	69%	78%	83%	87%	89%	83%
Immigrated 1986-1995	72%	64%	75%	87%	89%	79%
Immigrated 1996-2001	65%	53%	69%	81%	79%	74%
Total
Canadian-born	48%	61%	77%	86%	90%	78%
Immigrants	55%	59%	69%	79%	82%	71%
Immigrated before 1986	55%	67%	75%	82%	86%	75%
Immigrated 1986-1995	58%	56%	67%	80%	84%	71%
Immigrated 1996-2001	49%	45%	59%	69%	73%	64%

Immigrants with little schooling, even very recent immigrants, are more active in the labour market than the Canadian-born with low education. However, at all other education levels, there is a common pattern of relatively low participation rates for very recent immigrants, and convergence to the rates of the Canadian-born with longer stay. Earlier immigrants with less than high school education, both men and women, participate more than do the Canadian-born with a similar education. For men with a college education or university degree the participation rates of immigrants who landed during the 1986-1995 period are the same as those of the immigrants who preceded them but are still below those of the Canadian-born.

On the whole, participation rates have increased since 1996. Recent immigrants who landed five to fifteen years before the census have seen gains at all education levels. For very recent immigrant women, the changes are small, with gains for those with high school or less education ranging between one and two percentage points and losses for those with college and above of the same magnitude.

Figure D-2: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by level of education and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001

Knowledge of official languages important for labour force participation

Most immigrants report that they have knowledge of either French or English when they immigrate to Canada. As reported at the time of the 2001 Census, a large proportion of men and women who immigrated during the 1990s and settled in Montreal speak both French and English (see Table B-7 and Table B-8). Those who do not report having knowledge of either official language are not nearly as active in the labour market as those who do. Those who have knowledge of both languages participate the most, followed by those who speak French only or English only, and lastly those who speak neither French nor English. It is not surprising that knowledge of both official languages is strongly associated with labour market behaviour.

**Table D-5: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—labour force 15 to 64 years of age—knowledge of official languages and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number)**
Women
	French only	English only	French and English	Neither French nor English	Total
Canadian-born	228,270	13,730	447,490	–	689,520
Immigrants	34,340	26,820	85,630	3,800	150,590
Immigrated before 1986	14,840	11,810	49,220	1,440	77,290
Immigrated 1986-1995	13,140	9,490	25,680	1,430	49,750
Immigrated 1996-2001	6,360	5,530	10,730	940	23,540
Men
Canadian-born	204,760	16,280	520,910	–	742,030
Immigrants	32,240	34,630	118,750	3,090	188,700
Immigrated before 1986	13,910	12,720	67,520	1,050	95,210
Immigrated 1986-1995	11,970	12,700	34,980	1,280	60,930
Immigrated 1996-2001	6,370	9,210	16,240	770	32,580
Total
Canadian-born	433,020	30,010	968,400	–	1,431,540
Immigrants	66,580	61,460	204,370	6,890	339,290
Immigrated before 1986	28,750	24,530	116,760	2,460	172,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	25,120	22,190	60,660	2,710	110,680
Immigrated 1996-2001	12,720	14,730	26,970	1,700	56,120

Table D-6: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—labour force participation rates, by knowledge of official languages and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001
Women
	French only	English only	French and English	Neither French nor English	Total
Canadian-born	66%	57%	78%	–	73%
Immigrants	57%	56%	72%	34%	63%
Immigrated before 1986	57%	58%	75%	35%	67%
Immigrated 1986-1995	60%	61%	69%	37%	63%
Immigrated 1996-2001	53%	46%	63%	30%	54%
Men
Canadian-born	77%	71%	85%	–	82%
Immigrants	76%	77%	83%	61%	80%
Immigrated before 1986	75%	78%	86%	59%	83%
Immigrated 1986-1995	77%	79%	80%	67%	79%
Immigrated 1996-2001	73%	71%	77%	54%	74%
Total
Canadian-born	71%	64%	82%	–	78%
Immigrants	65%	66%	78%	43%	71%
Immigrated before 1986	64%	67%	81%	42%	75%
Immigrated 1986-1995	67%	70%	75%	47%	71%
Immigrated 1996-2001	61%	59%	71%	38%	64%

Labour force participation rates of immigrants are lower than they would be if all immigrants had command of one or both of Canada’s official languages. Table B-8 shows the proportions of immigrants who speak neither English nor French. Since knowledge of at least one official language is widespread among very recent immigrants, the total effect of language on participation rates is moderate.

Unemployment not uncommon during initial years

Immigrants who are in their initial years in Canada are more likely to experience unemployment than those who have been in the country for a longer period of time. For instance, very recent immigrants in Montreal experienced unemployment rates from 21% to 24%, depending on their age group and sex. Unemployment is significantly lower among persons who immigrated before 1996 but it is still higher than for the Canadian-born.

**Table D-7: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—unemployed 15 to 64 years of age—age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number)**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	11,810	18,480	10,070	40,360
Immigrants	2,270	10,980	6,040	19,280
Immigrated before 1986	350	2,450	3,810	6,610
Immigrated 1986-1995	1,120	4,390	1,560	7,070
Immigrated 1996-2001	800	4,150	670	5,620
Men
Canadian-born	15,500	21,240	12,020	48,750
Immigrants	2,850	11,800	7,180	21,820
Immigrated before 1986	490	2,220	4,360	7,060
Immigrated 1986-1995	1,560	4,460	1,860	7,870
Immigrated 1996-2001	800	5,130	970	6,890
Total
Canadian-born	27,310	39,710	22,080	89,100
Immigrants	5,110	22,780	13,220	41,100
Immigrated before 1986	840	4,660	8,160	13,660
Immigrated 1986-1995	2,670	8,850	3,420	14,940
Immigrated 1996-2001	1,600	9,270	1,640	12,510

**Table D-8: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—unemployment rates, by age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	10%	5%	5%	6%	40,360
Immigrants	17%	14%	10%	13%	19,280
Immigrated before 1986	14%	9%	8%	9%	6,610
Immigrated 1986-1995	15%	14%	14%	14%	7,070
Immigrated 1996-2001	24%	24%	23%	24%	5,620
Men
Canadian-born	12%	6%	5%	7%	48,750
Immigrants	19%	13%	9%	12%	21,820
Immigrated before 1986	18%	7%	7%	7%	7,060
Immigrated 1986-1995	18%	12%	12%	13%	7,870
Immigrated 1996-2001	22%	21%	22%	21%	6,890
Total
Canadian-born	11%	5%	5%	6%	89,100
Immigrants	18%	13%	9%	12%	41,100
Immigrated before 1986	16%	8%	8%	8%	13,660
Immigrated 1986-1995	17%	13%	13%	13%	14,940
Immigrated 1996-2001	23%	22%	22%	22%	12,510

This suggests that one or more spells of unemployment may be a fairly common experience for immigrants during their initial years in Montreal. This is particularly so during the first five years, when immigrants may not yet have secured steady jobs.

The unemployment rate for all age and gender cohorts shown in Table D-8 was lower in 2001 than in 1996. The decline was greater for all recent immigrants (four to thirteen percentage points) than for earlier immigrants and the Canadian-born (two to five percentage points).

**Table D-9: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—unemployed 15 to 64 years of age—level of education and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number)**
Women
	Less than grade 9	Some high school	High school diploma	College or trade diploma	University degree	Total
Canadian-born	2,760	7,850	11,850	12,960	4,940	40,360
Immigrants	2,960	2,800	4,080	5,340	4,100	19,280
Immigrated before 1986	1,580	980	1,350	1,860	850	6,610
Immigrated 1986-1995	950	1,210	1,780	2,000	1,130	7,070
Immigrated 1996-2001	410	610	960	1,490	2,140	5,620
Men
Canadian-born	4,990	11,340	13,220	14,140	5,060	48,750
Immigrants	2,120	2,980	4,580	6,380	5,770	21,820
Immigrated before 1986	950	990	1,560	2,330	1,210	7,060
Immigrated 1986-1995	770	1,440	1,910	2,140	1,620	7,870
Immigrated 1996-2001	400	540	1,110	1,900	2,920	6,890
Total
Canadian-born	7,760	19,190	25,070	27,090	10,000	89,100
Immigrants	5,080	5,780	8,660	11,720	9,870	41,100
Immigrated before 1986	2,520	1,960	2,900	4,190	2,070	13,660
Immigrated 1986-1995	1,730	2,660	3,680	4,140	2,740	14,940
Immigrated 1996-2001	830	1,150	2,080	3,400	5,070	12,510

The pattern just displayed, of unemployment rates that vary inversely with length of stay in Canada, occurs at all levels of education. This pattern is quite pronounced in Montreal. For instance, women who immigrated after 1995 and who have a university degree have an unemployment rate of 24%. The rate drops to 10% for immigrants who landed between 1986 and 1995 and to 5% for those who immigrated before 1986.

**Table D-10: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—unemployment rates, by level of education and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	Less than grade 9	Some high school	High school diploma	College or trade diploma	University degree	Total
Canadian-born	12%	11%	6%	5%	3%	6%
Immigrants	18%	17%	13%	11%	10%	13%
Immigrated before 1986	15%	13%	8%	8%	5%	9%
Immigrated 1986-1995	20%	19%	16%	13%	10%	14%
Immigrated 1996-2001	28%	26%	22%	23%	24%	24%
Men
Canadian-born	13%	10%	7%	6%	3%	7%
Immigrants	11%	13%	12%	12%	10%	12%
Immigrated before 1986	8%	9%	9%	8%	5%	7%
Immigrated 1986-1995	14%	17%	14%	12%	10%	13%
Immigrated 1996-2001	24%	19%	19%	23%	21%	21%
Total
Canadian-born	13%	11%	7%	5%	3%	6%
Immigrants	14%	15%	13%	12%	10%	12%
Immigrated before 1986	11%	11%	9%	8%	5%	8%
Immigrated 1986-1995	17%	18%	15%	13%	10%	13%
Immigrated 1996-2001	27%	22%	21%	23%	22%	22%

Immigrant women experience more unemployment than men during the first five years in Canada, at most levels of education. The gap between recent immigrants and the Canadian-born is also larger for women than for men at any level of education.

All groups, except very recent immigrant women with a university degree, had a lower unemployment rate in 2001 than in 1996. The unemployment rate of recent and very recent immigrants declined more than that of earlier immigrants and the Canadian-born.

**Table D-11: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—unemployed 15 to 64 years of age—knowledge of official languages and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	French only	English only	French and English	Neither French nor English	Total
Canadian-born	15,020	1,490	23,830	–	40,360
Immigrants	6,100	3,910	8,520	750	19,280
Immigrated before 1986	1,930	1,140	3,270	260	6,610
Immigrated 1986-1995	2,280	1,500	3,030	270	7,070
Immigrated 1996-2001	1,900	1,290	2,220	220	5,620
Men
Canadian-born	15,690	1,880	31,160	–	48,750
Immigrants	4,540	4,580	12,170	550	21,820
Immigrated before 1986	1,130	1,050	4,730	150	7,060
Immigrated 1986-1995	1,800	1,760	4,140	200	7,870
Immigrated 1996-2001	1,600	1,780	3,310	210	6,890
Total
Canadian-born	30,730	3,360	55,000	–	89,100
Immigrants	10,630	8,500	20,680	1,300	41,100
Immigrated before 1986	3,060	2,180	8,000	420	13,660
Immigrated 1986-1995	4,080	3,250	7,160	450	14,940
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,490	3,060	5,530	440	12,510

Recent immigrants who do not speak either French or English are more likely to be unemployed than those who do. The difference in unemployment rates between those who speak both official languages and those who speak neither varies from three to eleven percentage points, depending on gender and period of immigration. The unemployment rate of those who speak one official language is in between these two extremes. It occurs among earlier immigrants as well as among recent immigrants.

**Table D-12: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—unemployment rates by knowledge of official languages and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	French only	English only	French and English	Neither French nor English	Total
Canadian-born	7%	11%	5%	–	6%
Immigrants	18%	15%	10%	20%	13%
Immigrated before 1986	13%	10%	7%	18%	9%
Immigrated 1986-1995	17%	16%	12%	19%	14%
Immigrated 1996-2001	30%	23%	21%	24%	24%
Men
Canadian-born	8%	12%	6%	–	7%
Immigrants	14%	13%	10%	18%	12%
Immigrated before 1986	8%	8%	7%	14%	7%
Immigrated 1986-1995	15%	14%	12%	16%	13%
Immigrated 1996-2001	25%	19%	20%	27%	21%
Total
Canadian-born	7%	11%	6%	–	6%
Immigrants	16%	14%	10%	19%	12%
Immigrated before 1986	11%	9%	7%	17%	8%
Immigrated 1986-1995	16%	15%	12%	17%	13%
Immigrated 1996-2001	27%	21%	20%	26%	22%

Lack of knowledge of at least one of Canada’s official languages is not a key reason for higher unemployment among recent immigrants. A large majority of immigrants speak French, English or both French and English (see Table B-8).

Share of men and women with jobs increases with length of stay

Four in ten very recent immigrant women aged 15 to 64 are employed compared to seven in ten Canadian-born women. For men, the difference is smaller—six in ten very recent immigrants are employed, and three in four Canadian-born men. As shown in the previous pages, these differences in employment rates reflect differences in labour force participation rates and in unemployment rates.

**Table D-13: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 15 to 64 years of age—age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	110,670	337,650	200,850	649,160
Immigrants	11,200	65,980	54,140	131,310
Immigrated before 1986	2,160	26,080	42,450	70,690
Immigrated 1986-1995	6,430	26,870	9,390	42,690
Immigrated 1996-2001	2,600	13,020	2,310	17,930
Men
Canadian-born	110,440	361,150	221,700	693,290
Immigrants	12,040	81,290	73,570	166,890
Immigrated before 1986	2,210	29,000	56,950	88,160
Immigrated 1986-1995	7,030	32,910	13,120	53,050
Immigrated 1996-2001	2,810	19,380	3,500	25,680
Total
Canadian-born	221,110	698,810	422,540	1,342,450
Immigrants	23,230	147,260	127,710	298,190
Immigrated before 1986	4,370	55,080	99,390	158,840
Immigrated 1986-1995	13,460	59,780	22,510	95,740
Immigrated 1996-2001	5,410	32,400	5,800	43,610

**Table D-14: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—employment rates, by age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	59%	80%	60%	69%	649,160
Immigrants	41%	60%	54%	55%	131,310
Immigrated before 1986	56%	73%	56%	61%	70,690
Immigrated 1986-1995	42%	60%	50%	54%	42,690
Immigrated 1996-2001	31%	44%	39%	41%	17,930
Men
Canadian-born	58%	88%	74%	77%	693,290
Immigrants	42%	76%	73%	71%	166,890
Immigrated before 1986	55%	84%	75%	77%	88,160
Immigrated 1986-1995	43%	78%	71%	69%	53,050
Immigrated 1996-2001	35%	64%	59%	58%	25,680
Total
Canadian-born	58%	84%	67%	73%	1,342,450
Immigrants	42%	68%	63%	63%	298,190
Immigrated before 1986	55%	78%	65%	69%	158,840
Immigrated 1986-1995	42%	69%	61%	62%	95,740
Immigrated 1996-2001	33%	54%	49%	49%	43,610

Among immigrants who landed before 1986, employment is more common than among recent immigrants. Although employment among older immigrant men who landed before 1986 is comparable to that among the Canadian-born, other earlier immigrants have employment rates lower than those of the Canadian-born. For women aged 25 to 44, the employment rate of immigrants who landed before 1986 is seven percentage points lower than the rate of the Canadian-born, and in the next age group the gap is four points. The overall employment rates show a larger gap, and this is due to the differences in age distribution (many earlier immigrants are 45 to 64 years old). Immigrants who have lived in the country for 15 years of age or more have not quite caught up to the Canadian-born.

In 2001 employment was higher among all groups than in 1996.

The jobs of recent immigrants

Part-time jobs more common for very recent immigrants aged 25 to 64

The proportion of employed persons who work part-time varies considerably by age and gender. Nearly one-half of employed young adults work part-time, mainly because many also attend school. About two in ten employed women aged 25 to 64, not including very recent immigrants, work part-time, while for men the share is 6% to 10%.

**Table D-15: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age, employed mostly part-time—age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2000 (number)**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	75,180	63,760	48,320	187,250
Immigrants	7,370	13,380	11,860	32,610
Immigrated before 1986	1,330	5,190	9,190	15,710
Immigrated 1986-1995	4,970	5,810	2,080	12,860
Immigrated 1996-1999	1,080	2,380	590	4,050
Men
Canadian-born	61,550	23,980	17,860	103,390
Immigrants	6,650	7,710	6,540	20,900
Immigrated before 1986	1,160	2,330	4,680	8,160
Immigrated 1986-1995	4,290	3,520	1,440	9,240
Immigrated 1996-1999	1,200	1,870	430	3,500
Total
Canadian-born	136,730	87,730	66,180	290,630
Immigrants	14,020	21,100	18,410	53,520
Immigrated before 1986	2,480	7,520	13,870	23,870
Immigrated 1986-1995	9,260	9,330	3,520	22,110
Immigrated 1996-1999	2,280	4,250	1,020	7,550

Note: Tables D-15 and D-16 do not include immigrants who landed in 2000 or 2001. Only persons who landed before 2000 are included among immigrants and very recent immigrants. Part-time employment is defined as having worked less than 30 hours per week during most of the weeks worked in the year 2000.

Part-time employment is somewhat more common for very recent immigrants of either gender and aged 25 to 64 than for other population groups, but this is not so for those aged 15 to 24 years.

**Table D-16: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—15 to 64 years of age—percentage of employed working mostly part-time, by age and gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2000**
Women
	15 to 24 years	25 to 44 years	45 to 64 years	Total
Canadian-born	57%	18%	22%	26%
Immigrants	56%	19%	20%	23%
Immigrated before 1986	51%	18%	20%	20%
Immigrated 1986-1995	61%	19%	20%	26%
Immigrated 1996-1999	43%	20%	25%	24%
Men
Canadian-born	46%	6%	8%	14%
Immigrants	45%	9%	8%	12%
Immigrated before 1986	41%	8%	8%	9%
Immigrated 1986-1995	47%	10%	10%	16%
Immigrated 1996-1999	41%	12%	13%	16%
Total
Canadian-born	51%	12%	15%	20%
Immigrants	50%	14%	13%	17%
Immigrated before 1986	46%	13%	13%	14%
Immigrated 1986-1995	53%	14%	14%	20%
Immigrated 1996-1999	42%	15%	18%	19%

The share of jobs that was part-time was lower in 2001 than in 1996 for all groups of women, with the exception of very recent immigrants. Young very recent immigrants saw an increase in part-time employment.

Larger share of recent immigrants in processing occupations

Employed immigrants are more likely than their Canadian-born counterparts to work in processing jobs. Twenty percent of employed immigrant women who have been in the country for up to 15 years are employed in processing jobs, compared to only 4% of Canadian-born women. The differences are smaller for men. By contrast, administrative and management and social occupations, which are favoured by the Canadian-born, account for a smaller share of the jobs of both earlier and recent immigrants.

The distribution of occupations of very recent immigrants is quite similar to that of those who preceded them, with one major exception: a high share of occupations is in the health and science field, especially for men, with a lower share in trades and transport. This is something specific to the latest cohort, as five years earlier the share of jobs in health occupations was similar across all groups including very recent immigrants.

Table D-17: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—occupation groups, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
Women
	Sales and services	Pro- cessing	Admin- istrative	Manage- ment and social sciences	Trades, transport	Health, science	Total
Canadian-born	102,410	22,990	187,050	142,410	10,780	72,870	538,500
Immigrants	25,100	21,010	26,830	26,360	3,090	17,750	120,110
Immigrated before 1986	13,430	10,390	17,020	15,990	1,780	9,950	68,530
Immigrated 1986-1995	8,370	7,720	6,880	6,890	1,020	5,410	36,260
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,310	2,920	2,940	3,500	280	2,370	15,330
Men
Canadian-born	97,580	46,380	72,560	147,710	137,070	81,550	582,840
Immigrants	29,420	21,530	14,400	37,690	27,260	24,590	154,850
Immigrated before 1986	16,210	9,550	8,150	23,540	16,030	12,470	85,950
Immigrated 1986-1995	9,220	8,080	4,220	9,570	8,310	6,640	46,020
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,980	3,890	2,020	4,590	2,940	5,480	22,890
Total
Canadian-born	199,990	69,370	259,600	290,120	147,860	154,430	1,121,340
Immigrants	54,520	42,530	41,220	64,030	30,350	42,320	274,960
Immigrated before 1986	29,650	19,930	25,170	39,510	17,810	22,420	154,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	17,590	15,800	11,110	16,460	9,320	12,050	82,280
Immigrated 1996-2001	7,290	6,810	4,960	8,080	3,210	7,860	38,210

Women
Canadian-born	19%	4%	35%	26%	2%	14%	538,500
Immigrants	21%	17%	22%	22%	3%	15%	120,110
Immigrated before 1986	20%	15%	25%	23%	3%	15%	68,530
Immigrated 1986-1995	23%	21%	19%	19%	3%	15%	36,260
Immigrated 1996-2001	22%	19%	19%	23%	2%	15%	15,330
Men
Canadian-born	17%	8%	12%	25%	24%	14%	582,840
Immigrants	19%	14%	9%	24%	18%	16%	154,850
Immigrated before 1986	19%	11%	9%	27%	19%	15%	85,950
Immigrated 1986-1995	20%	18%	9%	21%	18%	14%	46,020
Immigrated 1996-2001	17%	17%	9%	20%	13%	24%	22,890
Total
Canadian-born	18%	6%	23%	26%	13%	14%	1,121,340
Immigrants	20%	15%	15%	23%	11%	15%	274,960
Immigrated before 1986	19%	13%	16%	26%	12%	15%	154,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	21%	19%	13%	20%	11%	15%	82,280
Immigrated 1996-2001	19%	18%	13%	21%	8%	21%	38,210

Note: Job characteristics presented in Tables D-17 to D-20 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.

Figure D-3: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—occupation groups, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (percentage distribution)

Note: Job characteristics presented in Figures D-3 to D-6 relate to jobs held at the time of the census or the job of longest duration from January 2000 to May 15, 2001. The information pertains to persons 25 to 64 years of age. Younger people are not included here since many of them are still in school, and their jobs tend to be short-term and part-time and less likely to be related to their education and career choices than the jobs of older adults. Occupation groups are defined in the Glossary.

More recent immigrants in manufacturing, fewer in the public sector

Compared to their Canadian-born counterparts, a larger proportion of recent immigrants in Montreal aged 25 to 64 are employed in manufacturing and in hospitality and other services. By contrast, construction and transportation and the public sector account for a smaller share of jobs of recent immigrants than of the Canadian-born.

Figure D-4: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—industry sector, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (percentage distribution)

Table D-18: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—industry sector, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
	Manu- facturing	Con- struction and Trans- portation	Trade	Busi- ness services	Public sector	Hospitality and other services	Total
Women
Canadian-born	61,280	39,190	80,510	102,040	190,380	65,100	538,500
Immigrants	29,030	4,900	16,430	17,830	33,970	17,980	120,100
Immigrated before 1986	14,960	3,180	9,310	10,120	21,500	9,490	68,500
Immigrated 1986-1995	10,130	1,230	4,880	4,910	9,010	6,130	36,300
Immigrated 1996-2001	3,930	470	2,270	2,800	3,480	2,360	15,300
Men
Canadian-born	122,300	117,420	104,530	96,380	89,810	52,430	582,800
Immigrants	43,990	19,160	25,780	24,080	18,430	23,410	154,900
Immigrated before 1986	22,160	11,780	14,610	12,440	12,210	12,740	86,000
Immigrated 1986-1995	14,720	5,290	7,920	6,460	4,020	7,620	46,000
Immigrated 1996-2001	7,100	2,100	3,260	5,170	2,210	3,070	22,900
Total
Canadian-born	183,570	156,600	185,040	198,410	280,190	117,530	1,121,300
Immigrants	73,020	24,060	42,220	41,910	52,410	41,390	275,000
Immigrated before 1986	37,140	14,980	23,900	22,570	33,690	22,230	154,500
Immigrated 1986-1995	24,880	6,500	12,800	11,380	13,010	13,730	82,300
Immigrated 1996-2001	11,010	2,580	5,510	7,970	5,690	5,440	38,200

Women
Canadian-born	11%	7%	15%	19%	35%	12%	100%
Immigrants	24%	4%	14%	15%	28%	15%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	22%	5%	14%	15%	31%	14%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	28%	3%	13%	14%	25%	17%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	26%	3%	15%	18%	23%	15%	100%
Men
Canadian-born	21%	20%	18%	17%	15%	9%	100%
Immigrants	28%	12%	17%	16%	12%	15%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	26%	14%	17%	14%	14%	15%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	32%	11%	17%	14%	9%	17%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	31%	9%	14%	23%	10%	13%	100%
Total
Canadian-born	16%	14%	17%	18%	25%	10%	100%
Immigrants	27%	9%	15%	15%	19%	15%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	24%	10%	15%	15%	22%	14%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	30%	8%	16%	14%	16%	17%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	29%	7%	14%	21%	15%	14%	100%

Compared to 1996, very recent immigrants have found more jobs in business services, and fewer in manufacturing and hospitality and other services. This may reflect changes in job availability due to the growth of the Montreal economy since 1996.

Skill requirements of jobs of recent immigrant women lower

With the exception of top skill level jobs for men, the jobs of recent immigrants require lower skills than the jobs of the Canadian-born. Three in ten jobs of Canadian-born women require a college diploma or a trade apprenticeship. For women who landed after 1996, only two in ten jobs require this level of skill. Recent immigrant women are more concentrated than other groups in jobs requiring the lowest two levels of skill.

Table D-19: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—skill requirements of jobs, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
	No formal education	High school plus job training	College or trade apprenticeship	University	Total
Women
Canadian-born	38,550	171,620	159,630	168,710	538,490
Immigrants	13,650	44,630	28,610	33,230	120,110
Immigrated before 1986	6,280	24,690	17,170	20,400	68,540
Immigrated 1986-1995	5,290	14,170	8,170	8,650	36,260
Immigrated 1996-2001	2,100	5,780	3,260	4,200	15,330
Men
Canadian-born	47,590	156,250	183,210	195,800	582,850
Immigrants	15,700	42,200	42,330	54,630	154,850
Immigrated before 1986	7,410	21,280	25,320	31,950	85,960
Immigrated 1986-1995	5,580	14,490	11,910	14,060	46,020
Immigrated 1996-2001	2,720	6,430	5,110	8,620	22,880
Total
Canadian-born	86,130	327,870	342,850	364,510	1,121,350
Immigrants	29,350	86,820	70,940	87,860	274,960
Immigrated before 1986	13,680	45,980	42,480	52,340	154,480
Immigrated 1986-1995	10,850	28,650	20,080	22,700	82,280
Immigrated 1996-2001	4,820	12,200	8,370	12,810	38,210

Women
Canadian-born	7%	32%	30%	31%	100%
Immigrants	11%	37%	24%	28%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	9%	36%	25%	30%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	15%	39%	23%	24%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	14%	38%	21%	27%	100%
Men
Canadian-born	8%	27%	31%	34%	100%
Immigrants	10%	27%	27%	35%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	9%	25%	29%	37%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	12%	31%	26%	31%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	12%	28%	22%	38%	100%
Total
Canadian-born	8%	29%	31%	33%	100%
Immigrants	11%	32%	26%	32%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	9%	30%	27%	34%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	13%	35%	24%	28%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	13%	32%	22%	34%	100%

For both men and women, the skill content of jobs of immigrants who landed before 1986 is closer to that of the Canadian-born, which suggests the situation of immigrants approaches the situation of the Canadian-born as their stay in Canada lengthens. However, the middle group of immigrants, who landed between 1986 and 1995, does not fit this pattern. Their jobs on average require less skill than the jobs of very recent immigrants. This group may have made gains since they landed, but high educational attainment and an improving economy may have enabled the latest immigrant cohort to find jobs with rather high skill levels.

As there are differences in educational attainment between recent immigrants and the Canadian-born, the information presented in Table D-19 does not directly indicate whether the skills of recent immigrants are fully or less than fully employed in the economy. To determine this, one has to compare the skill levels of jobs of recent immigrants and the Canadian-born for a given level of education. This is done in Table D-20 for persons holding a university degree.

Figure D-5: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed 25 to 64 years of age—skill requirements of jobs, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (percentage distribution)

Education of recent immigrants not fully utilized

The jobs of recent immigrants with a university degree do not require the same level of skill as the jobs of the Canadian-born. Seven in ten employed Canadian-born women with a university degree have a job requiring a university degree. But only one-half of employed women who immigrated after 1995 have a job at that level. Three-quarters of Canadian-born men with a university degree, but only six in ten very recent immigrant men have a job requiring a university education.

Table D-20: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born—employed university graduates, 25 to 64 years of age—skill requirements of jobs, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001 (number and percentage distribution)
Women
	No formal education	High school plus job training	College or trade apprenticeship	University	Total
Canadian-born	1,130	13,580	22,870	97,360	134,940
Immigrants	890	5,920	6,410	20,760	33,980
Immigrated before 1986	210	2,210	2,930	11,970	17,310
Immigrated 1986-1995	300	2,070	2,060	5,570	9,990
Immigrated 1996-2001	390	1,640	1,420	3,220	6,690
Men
Canadian-born	1,690	10,590	19,050	104,230	135,550
Immigrants	1,350	5,810	7,340	33,720	48,190
Immigrated before 1986	340	2,070	3,180	18,110	23,700
Immigrated 1986-1995	510	2,060	2,320	8,850	13,730
Immigrated 1996-2001	500	1,690	1,830	6,760	10,760
Total
Canadian-born	2,810	24,170	41,910	201,590	270,480
Immigrants	2,230	11,720	13,740	54,470	82,170
Immigrated before 1986	540	4,290	6,120	30,080	41,010
Immigrated 1986-1995	820	4,120	4,390	14,420	23,730
Immigrated 1996-2001	890	3,320	3,250	9,980	17,440

Women
Canadian-born	1%	10%	17%	72%	100%
Immigrants	3%	17%	19%	61%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	1%	13%	17%	69%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	3%	21%	21%	56%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	6%	25%	21%	48%	100%
Men
Canadian-born	1%	8%	14%	77%	100%
Immigrants	3%	12%	15%	70%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	1%	9%	13%	76%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	4%	15%	17%	64%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	5%	16%	17%	63%	100%
Total
Canadian-born	1%	9%	15%	75%	100%
Immigrants	3%	14%	17%	66%	100%
Immigrated before 1986	1%	10%	15%	73%	100%
Immigrated 1986-1995	3%	17%	18%	61%	100%
Immigrated 1996-2001	5%	19%	19%	57%	100%

The skill level of jobs of university graduates increased between 1996 and 2001, mainly in the form of a shift from jobs requiring a high school diploma to jobs requiring a university education. For immigrants who landed in the five years before the census, the shift from jobs requiring high school to jobs requiring university was around five percentage points for both men and women.

Figure D-6: Immigrants by period of immigration and Canadian-born —25 to 64 years of age— percentage of employed university graduates with jobs requiring university education, by gender, Montreal Census Metropolitan Area, 2001

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