Most children of Canadian immigrants better educated, earn more

According to a new study by the Montreal think tank The Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP), most children of Canadian immigrants are better educated and earn more than their native-born counterparts.

However, the report advised that there should be changes to long-term immigration strategy to make it easier for some second-generation Canadians to integrate into society.

The study, 'Immigration in the Long Run: the Education and Earnings Mobility of Second Generation Canadians' found that Canada's "mobile society" proved particularly advantageous to children of immigrants.

Unfortunately, the study found that the results vary by gender and region of origin. The largest gain in earnings between immigrants and their adult children were made by daughters whose parents were born in Asia. In contrast, there were almost no gains in earnings made by sons of parents who originated in the Caribbean or South America.

"Above-average education combined with below-average earnings in one generation is replicated in the next generation for members of certain visible minority groups from particular countries and regions," said Miles Corak, author of the study.

Corak stated that immigration policy in Canada needs to be planned with a more longer term outlook than just immediate labour market shortages.

"This perspective offers a different lens through which to view current developments to meet labour market shortages associated with -- for example -- the resources boom in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan," Corak said.

"Policy changes to increase the flow of less-educated workers -- admitting only single men and women, or using temporary worker permits so that their families have even fewer rights and access to benefits -- do not resonate with the longer-term cross-generational goal of integration," he added.