The Location Choice of New Immigrants to Canada: The Role of Ethnic Networks
Abstract
The focus of this paper is on the determinants of the initial location decision of recent immigrants to Canada. Particular attention is given to the role of 'ethnic networks' in this location decision. The ethnic network - the concentration of people in the same geographic area who are of similar ethnic background, culture and language - can be an important source of financial or personal support, information and guidance, and social mores. Evidence is found that the presence of ethnic networks does have a significant effect on the location decisions of recent immigrants, but the magnitude of the effects depends on personal characteristics of the immigrant such as language and education.