Immigrants and Members of Visible Minority Groups on the Labour Market Where does discrimination begin?

Percentage of Quebec population who are immigrants –1951 : 5.6% –2001 : 9.9% Visible minority groups in Quebec in 2001 –7% of total population –47% of immigrant population Growth of labour force between 1991 and 2001 due to immigration : 63% Quebec : An Increasingly Diverse Society Source : Census of Canada

In Canada in 1980, recent male immigrants earned 17% less than native male Canadians In 2000, the gap grew to 40% For women, the gap grew from 23% in 1980 to 44% in 2000 However : In 2000, young Canadian-born male graduates earned 3% less that their counterparts in 1980 (from $ to $44 300) In 2000, young recent male immigrant graduates earned 3% more than their counterparts in 1980 (from $ to $43 400) Declining incomes of recent immigrants Source : Census of Canada (Frenette, Morisette, 2003)

Unemployment Rate (Quebec) Source : Census of Canada

But selection makes a difference (Quebec) Sources : MRCI (Qc) surveys, Census of Canada, IMDB All Recent Immigrants Employment Rate Income Recent selected skilled Workers % % 1993 between 57% and 78% 1997 between 61% and 70% % 2000 $ $30 100

Results are not the same for all origins Among recent immigrants selected by Quebec as skilled workers, the situation in March 2002 was the following : Continent of Birth Europe Africa + Asia Source: Survey of workers selected, MRCI (Qc), 2002 University graduates 52.9% 63% Employment rate 88% 75% Unemployment rate 7.8% 19% Average salary (per week) $782 $694

What are the reasons for these gaps? Lack of language skills? Lack of work experience in the Canadian labour market? Structural changes in the economy? Foreign credentials and experience not being recognized? Weak networks? Discrimination?

What should be done?