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National Recording Systems and the Measurement of International Migration in Canada: An Assessment

Samuel, T.J., White, Pamela, Perreault, J. (1987) National Recording Systems and the Measurement of International Migration in Canada: An Assessment. International Migration Review, 21 (4). pp. 1170-1211. ISSN 0197-9183. (doi:10.2307/2546509) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:56130)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://www.dx.doi.org/10.2307/2546509

Abstract

This article provides a critical assessment of the adequacy of Canada's statistical sources on immigration and emigration for both scientific study and policy needs. These data collection systems are discussed: 1) registration systems, 2) the census, and 3) administrative records and surveys. The authors conclude that Canadian migration data systems have both strengths and weaknesses. The following are some of these strengths. 1) The census is a unique source of consistent, up-to-date information on the immigrant stock. 2) Surveys provide insights on attitudes towards immigrants. 3) Citizenship data tell how many immigrants have acquired Canadian citizenship. 4) When data gaps were noticed, special efforts were made to fill them. The following are some of the data systems' weaknesses. 1) The most significant weakness is the absence of data on the characteristics of emigrants and their destination. 2) Information on returning residents is limited. 3) Undocumented immigrants defy documentation and very little is known on this group. 4) There are only skimpy data on refugee claimants. 5) There are few analyses of the differential fertility, mortality, and nuptiality patterns of the immigrants and the Canadian born. 6) The rate of return of immigrants is unknown. 7) The number of Canadian students abroad and their field of study is unknown. 8) Information on change of status and enforcement is limited. 9) The de facto population of Canada is unknown since Statistics Canada enumerates and estimates only the de jure population. 10) Lack of coordination among the multiple agencies that collect data is a major weakness; data are often unavailable in the form in which, or time when, it is required.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.2307/2546509
Subjects: K Law
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > Kent Law School
Depositing User: Sarah Slowe
Date Deposited: 24 Jun 2016 04:09 UTC
Last Modified: 14 Jan 2022 04:10 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/56130 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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