Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile

Diversity in Toronto:
A Community Profile
Building Healthy and Vibrant Communities

Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................4
Highlights of Diversity in Toronto ..........................................................................................7
Demographics.....................................................................................................................10
Overview ........................................................................................................................ 10
Age Groups.................................................................................................................... 12
Youth 13 to 24 years old ................................................................................................ 15
Place of Birth.................................................................................................................. 16
Period of Immigration ..................................................................................................... 18
Racialized Groups.......................................................................................................... 20
Language............................................................................................................................21
Mother Tongue............................................................................................................... 21
Knowledge of English or French .................................................................................... 22
Other Languages ........................................................................................................... 23
Education............................................................................................................................25
Level of Education.......................................................................................................... 25
Fields of Study ............................................................................................................... 26
Industry...............................................................................................................................27
Occupations........................................................................................................................28
Labour Force ......................................................................................................................29
Work Activity .................................................................................................................. 29
Employment ................................................................................................................... 30
Unemployment............................................................................................................... 31
Income Overview................................................................................................................33
Low-Income.................................................................................................................... 38
Concepts and Definitions....................................................................................................43
Data Sources......................................................................................................................46
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 2

List of Charts
Chart 1 – Population Groups by Age Group – Toronto.......................................................12
Chart 2 – Age Pyramid for Immigrants – Toronto ...............................................................13
Chart 3 – Age Pyramid for Members of Racialized Groups – Toronto ...............................14
Chart 4 – Population Groups as Percentage of All Youth – Toronto and Ontario ..............15
Chart 5 – Immigrant Population by Place of Birth – Toronto ..............................................16
Chart 6 – Place of Birth – Members of Racialized Groups – Toronto.................................17
Chart 7 – Immigrant Population by Immigration Period – Toronto and Ontario..................18
Chart 8 – Immigrant and Immigrant Racialized Groups Populations by Period of
Immigration – Toronto..........................................................................................19
Chart 9 – Population by Top 10 Racialized Groups – Toronto ...........................................20
Chart 10 – Mother Tongue by Population Groups – Toronto..............................................21
Chart 11 – Population Groups without Knowledge of English or French by Age Groups –
Toronto.................................................................................................................22
Chart 12 – Top 15 Non-Official Mother Tongue Languages – Immigrant Population in
Toronto.................................................................................................................23
Chart 13 – Top 15 Non-Official Mother Tongue Languages – Members of Racialized
Groups – Toronto.................................................................................................24
Chart 14 – Highest Level of Education Attained – Ages 25 to 64 Years – Toronto ............25
Chart 15 – Population Groups with Employment Income by Work Activity – Toronto ........29
Chart 16 – Employment Rate by Population Groups by Gender – Toronto........................30
Chart 17 – Unemployment Rate by Population Groups by Gender – Toronto ...................31
Chart 18 – Unemployment Rate by Population Groups – Toronto and Ontario .................32
Chart 19 – Average and Median Individual Incomes by Population Groups – Toronto ......35
Chart 20 – Individual Income Levels by Population Groups – Toronto...............................36
Chart 21 – Average and Median Employment Income by Population Groups – Toronto ...37
Chart 22 – Median Employment Income by Population Groups and by Gender – Toronto37
Chart 23 – Population Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax – Toronto and
Ontario .................................................................................................................39
Chart 24 – Children under Six Years Old Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax –
Toronto and Ontario.............................................................................................40
Chart 25 – Seniors Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax – Toronto and Ontario
.............................................................................................................................41
Chart 26 – Persons in Economic Families Living below the Low Income Cut-Off After-Tax
– Toronto and Ontario..........................................................................................42
List of Tables
Table 1 – Population Groups 2001 and 2006 – Toronto and Ontario.................................10
Table 2 – Proportion in Total Population – Toronto and Ontario ........................................11
Table 3 – Major Field of Study Ages 25 to 64 by Population Groups – Toronto.................26
Table 4 – Top Ranked Industries by Population Groups – Toronto....................................27
Table 5 – Top Ranked Major Occupations by Population Groups – Toronto .....................28
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 3

Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile
Introduction
For hundreds of years people have been immigrating to Ontario – from the earliest 17th
century French and British settlers to the post-WWII wave of European settlers and - most
recently - the new wave of newcomers from many different parts of the world. From the
earliest beginnings, newcomers have helped enrich and grow Ontario with their new
perspectives, diverse cultures and willingness to work together to help build this great
province.
Gaining a better understanding of the diversity of communities across Ontario is of great
importance to the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). To learn more about the trends at
play that are shaping communities across the province, we commissioned Statistics
Canada to use its most recent census information to help produce this profile of diversity in
Toronto.
The report Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile highlights the trends and differences
for immigrants – both established and recent – as well as people who identify as members
of racialized groups. Using the gauges of place of birth, language, age and period of
immigration, this report will highlight the uniqueness and diversity of people in Toronto
today – and bring to light some worrying challenges facing those who have most recently
arrived.
OTF is pleased to share this new report with our many stakeholders as well as the general
public. We hope it will be relevant to a wide variety of decision-makers and groups,
including our colleagues in government, community organizations, the not-for-profit sector,
colleges, universities, and anyone else who is seeking a better understanding of diversity
in Toronto.
A note about additional publications
This Toronto report – one of five reports on diversity in Ontario and select communities – is
part of the latest series of community profiles published by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Other reports in this series include Your Community in Profile, a customized series of OTF
reports on economic, social and demographic trends for Ontario and 16 regions across the
province; Aboriginal Communities in Profile and Francophone Communities in Profile.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 4

What OTF means by “diversity” and how we speak of it in this report
The Ontario Trillium Foundation values diversity in all its forms and recognizes the
personal, cultural, social and economic benefits it brings.
For this Community Profile series, we have focused on two specific aspects of diversity:
people who have emigrated from other parts of the world and have settled in Ontario, as
well as people from racialized groups. Of course, there is an area of overlap. A person can
be either or both an immigrant and a member of a racialized group. When it is important to
the information to highlight this combined group, we have done so. The Venn diagram
below illustrates the intersection of both groups.
Immigrants
Members of a
racialized group
Immigrants who
are also members
of racialized
groups
The Ontario Trillium Foundation’s work is grounded in the belief that all community
members, including newcomers and people from a variety of ethnicities or cultures, have a
role in building healthy and vibrant communities – and benefit from them.
To that end, we believe that these Community Profile reports will help our staff, volunteers
and the public better understand the people who live in Ontario.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 5

A note about language
As the Ontario Human Rights Commission notes “there are inherent challenges in finding
ways in which to best describe people. Terminology is fluid and what is considered most
appropriate evolves over time. As well, people within a group may disagree on preference
and use different terms themselves.”
Our goal has been to choose appropriate and preferable terms to describe people
collectively, to be clear and precise in our language, and to use language that allows for
comparisons while avoiding artificial societal constructs that may stratify groups of people.
With consideration and thoughtful discussion, we have used our best effort to choose the
following words for these reports:
Immigrants:
When we use the word immigrant we are referring to all people who have immigrated to
Canada including people who have resided in Canada for many years as well as those
who arrived more recently. We use the terms recent immigrant or newcomer
interchangeably when speaking only about those who arrived in Canada between 2001
and 2006, the most recent period for which we have information.
Members of racialized groups vs. visible minority:
Although many people, including Statistics Canada, use the term visible minority, we
prefer the term “racialized groups.” In recent years, the term “racialized” has become
increasingly common and preferred to “visible minority.” “Racialized” reflects that people
are subject to racism and made to feel different because of their particular racial or ethnic
background, not that there are inherent genetic or biological inequalities. As such, we have
chosen to use the words members of racialized groups or racialized groups.
Geographical Context
In this report, Toronto includes only the City of Toronto. See Data Sources section for
more information.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 6

Highlights of Diversity in Toronto
While many recent immigrants (those arriving between 2001 and 2006) are
settling in Toronto, almost as many immigrants who arrived prior to 2001 are
leaving the city.
Half of Toronto residents are immigrants; nearly half are members of a racialized
group.
Despite having higher educational attainment, recent immigrants are more likely
to be unemployed, work part-time as opposed to full-time, and have lower
incomes.
A larger proportion of Torontonians – including immigrants, recent immigrants
and members of racialized groups – are worse off economically than Ontarians
overall. Immigrant children and racialized seniors are particularly at risk.
Shifting Make-up among the Toronto Community
The proportion of newcomers (those arriving between 2001 and 2006) within Toronto’s
immigrant community is the highest within Ontario.
More than one-third of youth are immigrants; more than half of youth are members of a
racialized group.
Two-thirds of recent immigrants are born in Asia and the Middle East – a shift from the
more traditional birthplace of Europe.
People from Eastern Asia and Southern Asia comprise the largest racialized groups in
Toronto.
Education, Employment and Income Disparities
Recent immigrants are better educated compared to immigrants as a whole, members
of racialized groups and Torontonians overall; 62% of working-age newcomers have
completed university.
Though proportionately more newcomers have completed university, they have lower
employment rates, are more likely to work part-time than full-time, and may not find
work in their chosen fields – one in ten recent immigrants is employed in
accommodation and food services industries.
Only one-third of recent immigrants work full-time, compared to half of immigrants
overall and the total population.
Unemployment in Toronto is higher across all population groups than Ontario overall.
Within Toronto, there is a greater degree of unemployment among recent immigrants
and people in racialized groups than among immigrants overall or the total population.
Unemployment among women recent immigrants is double that of women in Ontario
overall.
Recent immigrants are facing significant income disparity. On the whole, their average
income is roughly half that of the total Toronto population.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 7

Two-thirds of recent immigrants had income levels below $20,000 in 2005.
Incomes among working people in racialized groups fall between those of immigrants
and recent immigrants, and are substantially lower than the incomes in the total
population.
Toronto households are substantially worse off than the average when compared to
Ontario overall. Within Toronto, more than one-third of recent immigrant households is
economically worse off than the average and young children who are immigrants are
particularly at risk.
Composition and Language
On the whole, people in racialized groups are much younger when compared to the
overall population. By contrast, immigrants are considerably older when compared to
the overall population, with a comparatively small proportion of children and a high
proportion of seniors.
Most immigrants and people in racialized groups in Toronto have neither English nor
French as mother tongue – though over 90% know one or both languages well enough
to carry on a conversation.
Chinese languages are the most prevalent non-official mother tongues both for
immigrants and members of the racialized community.
South Asians and Chinese are the largest racialized groups in Toronto; one-third of the
racialized community have a Chinese language as their mother tongue.
Responding to trends in the region
Findings like these help provide valuable insight into the immigrant and racialized
communities in Toronto, offering communities, volunteers and not-for-profit organizations
direction on priority areas where there is a need for additional programs and services.
OTF is proud to have allocated funding to organizations that help address these priorities
and strengthen diverse communities in Toronto. Here are a few examples of how OTF
funding has supported a wide range of services and programs for immigrant and racialized
people of all ages:
Given Toronto’s large community of immigrants, the opportunity to enhance educational
achievements and reduce barriers to employability is crucial. The African Canadian
Social Development Council delivers after-school support programs and is implementing
a plan to encourage low income and African-Canadian children and youths to achieve
success and stay in school.
The Remix Project is developing a mentorship and training project for its youth-led urban
arts program for participants of diverse backgrounds from Toronto's 13 priority
neighbourhoods. It will boost economic potential and job opportunities in the creative
industries of Toronto.
To enhance economic opportunities for women, La Table sectorielle des groupes de
femmes en entreprenariat du GTA, a collaborative of six organizations, provides an
intensive training program for Francophone immigrant women about entrepreneurship
through workshops, mentorships and placements.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 8

COSTI Immigrant Services operates a community capacity building program in the
Crescent Town and Oakridge neighbourhoods. Local residents take part in supportive
social, cultural, recreational and skills development programs.
Low-income seniors in Flemingdon Park-Victoria Village are participating in personal
wellness activities. Thanks to OTF funding to the Cliffcrest Community Centre, they are
becoming more engaged as advocates for healthy, supportive communities in which to
live.
Youth in the Morningside Heights community of Scarborough are more involved in physical
activities thanks to the Toronto Teen Track Program that offers evening and weekend
sports and recreation opportunities. This program strengthens players' confidence,
physical skills development, teamwork, leadership and healthy living through participation
in sports, cooperative games and free play.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 9

Demographics
Overview
Overall, people in Ontario are becoming increasingly diverse – more than 368,500
newcomers from a variety of countries settled in the province between 2001 and 2006 and
close to three million people described themselves as a member of a racialized group 1 .
Despite increased growth of the immigrant community in Toronto relative to the population
as a whole, in terms of real numbers there was an increase of only 23,100 immigrants
from 2001 to 2006. Nevertheless, 267,855 newcomers settled in Toronto during this
period. These numbers suggest that while many newcomers are settling in Toronto, almost
as many immigrants who arrived in the city prior to 2001 are leaving – many to the 905
region.
Immigrant and racialized communities are growing faster than the total population
Between 2001 and 2006, the immigrant community in Toronto grew by 1.9% and the
number of people from racialized groups by 10.6%. While these rates are less than the
province as a whole, they exceed Toronto’s total population growth rate of 0.8% during this
period. Please refer to Table 1.
Table 1 – Population Groups 2001 and 2006 – Toronto and Ontario
Region 2001 2006 Growth 2001-2006
Immigrants
Toronto 1,214,625 1,237,725 1.9%
Ontario 3,030,075 3,398,725 12.2%
Members of Racialized Groups
Toronto 1,051,125 1,162,630 10.6%
Ontario 2,153,045 2,745,200 27.5%
Total Population
Toronto 2,456,805 2,476,565 0.8%
Ontario 11,285,550 12,028,900 6.6%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2001 and 2006
1 Racialized groups – please refer to the Note about language
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 10

Half of Toronto’s residents are immigrants
As of 2006, exactly half of the city’s residents (50%) were immigrants, far exceeding
Ontario overall (28.3%). Also, nearly half of Torontonians (46.9%) describe themselves as
a member of a racialized group, which again is considerably higher than the province as a
whole (22.8%). Please refer to Table 2.
Toronto is a likely destination within Ontario for recent immigrants
Over 10% of Toronto’s population is made up of immigrants who settled between 2001
and 2006, which is more than twice the rate for Ontario overall (4.8%). This recent wave of
immigration has contributed to the immigrant community now accounting for half of the
city’s total population. Please refer to Table 2.
Table 2 – Proportion in Total Population – Toronto and Ontario
Proportion of Total Population
Region
Immigrants
Recent Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized Groups
Toronto 50.0% 10.8% 46.9%
Ontario 28.3% 4.8% 22.8%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 11

Age Groups
Clustering people by age groups highlights differences between the immigrant and
racialized communities within Toronto. While the majority of people are 25 to 44 years of
age, regardless of community, when comparing the youngest age groups and the oldest
there are significant distinctions.
A high proportion of seniors belong to the immigrant community
Collectively as a group, immigrants are older as one in five (18.4%) immigrants in Toronto
is a senior (aged 65 years or older). This is more than double the proportion of seniors
from racialized communities (8.1%) and significantly more than in the total population
(13.6%). Exactly half of immigrants in Toronto are aged 45 years or older compared to
about four in ten for the city’s overall population. Please refer to Chart 1.
A small proportion of children belong to the immigrant community
Of all immigrants in Toronto, only one in every eighteen (5.6%) is under the age of 15,
which is far below the city as a whole where one in six (16.5%) residents is a child. Please
refer to Chart 1.
The racialized community is younger
People from racialized groups are the youngest of the three populations shown in Chart 1.
More than one-third (36%) is less than 25 years of age. In fact, one in five is under the age
of 15. Please refer to Chart 1.
Chart 1 – Population Groups by Age Group – Toronto
60.0
50.0
48.7
Percentage
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
5.6
18.1
21.0
16.5
10.1
16.0
15.0
12.8
34.2
34.2
32.2
17.7
10.0
13.6
14.6
13.9
3.7
8.2
10.3
18.4
3.5
8.1
13.6
0.0
Under 15
years
15 to 24 years 25 to 44 years 45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and
over
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 12

The following two age pyramids (one for immigrants and one for members of racialized
groups) illustrate in more detail the differences between these groups and Ontario overall
in terms of age distribution.
The immigrant community is older than the population as a whole
Compared to Toronto overall, more immigrants are within the age categories between 30
and 84 years of age. Conversely, there are significantly fewer immigrants in the younger
age categories, especially children under 15 years of age. This small proportion of young
immigrants results in a diamond-shaped figure. Please refer to Chart 2.
Toronto has a higher proportion of working-age immigrants
Three-quarters (75.9%) of the immigrant community in Toronto are of working age
(between 15 and 64 years), which is higher than the city overall (69.9%). Please refer to
Chart 2.
Chart 2 – Age Pyramid for Immigrants – Toronto
85 years and over
80 to 84 years
75 to 79 years
70 to 74 years
65 to 69 years
60 to 64 years
55 to 59 years
50 to 54 years
45 to 49 years
40 to 44 years
35 to 39 years
30 to 34 years
25 to 29 years
20 to 24 years
15 to 19 years
10 to 14 years
5 to 9 years
0 to 4 years
Male
Female
12% 8% 4% 0% 4% 8% 12%
Immigrants
Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 13

Members of racialized groups are younger
The age pyramid for people from racialized communities presents a very different shape
than for the immigrant community. There is a far higher proportion of young people among
racialized groups in all age categories under 44 years than among Toronto’s total
population. This higher proportion is especially pronounced in age categories comprising
children and youth.
By contrast, in all age brackets over 49, there is a lower proportion of members from
racialized communities than from Toronto as a whole. Please refer to Chart 3.
Chart 3 – Age Pyramid for Members of Racialized Groups – Toronto
85 years and over
80 to 84 years
75 to 79 years
70 to 74 years
65 to 69 years
60 to 64 years
55 to 59 years
50 to 54 years
45 to 49 years
40 to 44 years
35 to 39 years
30 to 34 years
25 to 29 years
20 to 24 years
15 to 19 years
10 to 14 years
5 to 9 years
0 to 4 years
Male
Female
10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Members of Racialized Groups
Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 14

Youth 13 to 24 years old
This section focuses on youth (ages 13 to 24 years) and looks at the proportion of Toronto
youth who are immigrants, recent immigrants or members of racialized groups.
Majority of youth are members of a racialized group
More than half (55.2%) of all youth in Toronto are members of a racialized group. This is
the highest proportion for any region in the province and is more than double the
proportion of Ontario overall (25.7%). Please refer to Chart 4.
More than one in three Toronto youth is an immigrant
More than one-third (37.8%) of youth in Toronto are immigrants, which again is the highest
of any region in the province and double the proportion for Ontario overall (17.9%). Please
refer to Chart 4.
Chart 4 – Population Groups as Percentage of All Youth – Toronto and Ontario
60.0
55.2
50.0
40.0
37.8
Percentage
30.0
20.0
17.9
25.7
10.0
-
13.6 5.6
Toronto
Ontario
Immigrants Members of Racialized Groups Recent Immigrants (2001-2006)
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 15

Place of Birth
Two-thirds of recent immigrants were born in Asia and the Middle East
Slightly more than two-thirds (68.5%) of recent immigrants to Toronto were born in Asia
and the Middle East 2 . Dividing the large Asia-Middle East region into four primary areas –
Southern, Eastern, Southeast and West Central and the Middle East – provides additional
context on the birthplace of immigrants from that region. Nearly half (48.2%) of all recent
immigrants to Toronto were born in either Southern Asia (26%) or Eastern Asia (22.2%).
One in five (18.4%) recent immigrants was born in China, which is more than any other
individual country. Please refer to Chart 5.
Few recent immigrants were born in Europe
While more than one-quarter (28.9%) of all immigrants in Toronto were born in Europe, a
smaller proportion of recent immigrants were born in Europe – only one in seven (13.6%).
This is indicative of a shifting pattern in immigration, which is being driven by a wave of
newcomers from Asia and the Middle East. Please refer to Chart 5.
Chart 5 – Immigrant Population by Place of Birth – Toronto
Europe
Eastern Asia
Southern Asia
South-East Asia
Caribbean
West Central Asia/Middle East
South America
Africa
United States
Central America
7.4
3.5
6.3
6.0
5.1
5.5
6.2
1.8
1.6
1.5
1.3
10.2
9.6
10.7
13.6
14.9
17.3
22.2
26.0
28.9
Percentage
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0
Recent immigrants (2001-2006)
Immigrants
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
2 Asia and the Middle East: This region includes people from Southern Asia (e.g. India, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, etc.), Eastern Asia (e.g. China, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.), Southeast Asia (e.g. Philippines,
Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.), and West-Central Asia and the Middle East (e.g. Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq,
Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, etc.).
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 16

A quarter of people from racialized groups are born in Canada
Canada is the single largest place of birth for racialized groups living in Toronto. In 2006,
one-quarter (26.3%) of people from racialized groups were Canadian-born. Please refer to
Chart 6.
Half of racialized community born in Asia and the Middle East
Half (49.3%) of all people in racialized groups in Toronto were born in one of the four
Asian regions shown in Chart 6. Within the Asian regions, most people were born in
Eastern (18.3%) or Southern Asia (15.7%). Please refer to Chart 6.
Chart 6 – Place of Birth – Members of Racialized Groups – Toronto
Canada 26.3
Southern Asia
15.7%
Oceania 0.1%
United States 0.4%
Central America
1.5%
Southeast Asia
10.8%
Eastern Asia
18.3%
West Central
Asia and the Middle
East 4.5%
Caribbean 7.5%
South America 5.4%
Europe 1.0%
Africa 5.1%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 17

Period of Immigration
Recent immigrants account for a large proportion of the total immigrant population
One in five (21.6%) immigrants in Toronto arrived between 2001 and 2006. This is a
considerably higher proportion than immigrants who arrived in Toronto from 1991 to 1995,
and 1996 to 2000. In part this is because a larger portion of immigrants who arrived during
these earlier periods have since moved outside of the city. Please refer to Chart 7.
Toronto has the highest proportion of newcomers in the province
Toronto has a higher proportion of newcomers amongst the total immigrant community
(21.6%) than any other region in the province or the province as a whole (17.1%). Please
refer to Chart 7.
Chart 7 – Immigrant Population by Immigration Period – Toronto and Ontario
100.0%
80.0%
60.0%
21.6
15.3
15.2
17.1
13.9
13.6
40.0%
20.0%
47.9
55.4
0.0%
Toronto
Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Before 1991 1991-1995 1996-2000 2001-2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 18

One-quarter of immigrants from racialized communities arrived between 2001 and
2006
There are notable differences in terms of the period of immigration for all immigrants and
for those who are also members of racialized groups. While nearly half of all immigrants
arrived in Canada before 1991, just more than one-third (36%) of immigrants from
racialized groups arrived in that period.
Additionally, one-quarter (26.6%) of immigrants from racialized groups arrived in Canada
recently (between 2001 and 2006), a higher proportion than all immigrants in total (21.6%).
Please refer to Chart 8.
Chart 8 – Immigrant and Immigrant Racialized Groups Populations by Period of Immigration
– Toronto
60.0
47.9
40.0
36.0
Percentage
20.0
15.2
15.3
21.6
18.7
18.7
26.6
0.0
Immigrants
Immigrant Members of Racialized Groups
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Before 1991 1991-1995 1996 -2000 2001-2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 19

Racialized Groups
South Asians and Chinese are the largest racialized groups in Toronto
In Toronto, at least half of all people in racialized groups are South Asian or Chinese – this
is true whether considering immigrants, recent immigrants or the total population.
Together, members of the Black community form the third largest racialized group in
Toronto (17.9% of the total population). Please refer to Chart 9.
Among recent immigrants, one-third (33.7%) are South Asian and one-quarter (24.8%) are
Chinese – both much higher than any other single racialized group shown in Chart 9.
Chart 9 – Population by Top 10 Racialized Groups – Toronto
40.0
33.7
Percentage
30.0
20.0
27.0
25.7
26.3
24.8
24.3
14.4
17.9
10.0
0.0
9.5
9.4
9.5
8.8
5.6
5.0
5.6
3.3
1.9
3.2
2.0
2.4
1.9
4.5
6.7
3.7
3.0
3.2
2.9
0.4
0.4
1.0
South Asian
Chinese
Black
Filipino
Latin American
Southeast Asian
Arab
West Asian
Korean
Japanese
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Total Population
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 20

Language
Mother Tongue
Few immigrants or people from racialized groups have English or French as mother
tongue
Although one in five (22%) immigrants and one-third (32.3%) of people in racialized groups
have either English or French as a mother tongue, most say their mother tongue is a
language other than English or French. In 2006, three-quarters of immigrants (75%) stated
this fact. Among recent immigrants the proportion is even higher; as more than eight in ten
(84.4%) newcomers said neither English nor French was their mother tongue. Please refer
to Chart 10.
Chart 10 – Mother Tongue by Population Groups – Toronto
100.0
80.0
75.0
84.4
64.0
Percentage
60.0
40.0
32.3
20.0
0.0
22.0
12.1
0.6 0.8 0.5
0.1 0.1 0.1
English French Non-official
language
English and
French
2.3
2.7
3.1
English and/or
French and
non-official
language
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 21

Knowledge of English or French
Seniors are most likely to say they cannot converse in English or French
Across Toronto, about 9% of all immigrants and 8% of members of racialized groups say
that they cannot hold a conversation in English or French. Seniors, however, are
considerably more likely to make this statement. Among immigrant seniors in Toronto,
22.9% say they cannot converse in English or French; and among seniors in racialized
groups, 32.1% said the same.
Nearly all 15 to 44 year olds are able to converse in an official language. Other age groups
fare better than seniors, yet still have a significant number of individuals that cannot
converse in English or French. Both adult immigrants and members of racialized groups
between the ages of 45 and 64 are notably more likely to say they cannot converse in
English or French. Please refer to Chart 11.
Chart 11 – Population Groups without Knowledge of English or French by Age Groups –
Toronto
40.0
30.0
32.1
Percentages
20.0
10.0
8.8
5.4
22.9
10.0
7.5
8.0
6.5
4.2 4.4
1.9 1.5
9.1
12.8
0.0
Immigrants
Members of Racialized Groups
All Age Groups Under 15 years 15 to 24 years 25 to 44 years
45 to 54 years 55 to 64 years 65 years and over
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 22

Other Languages
Chinese languages are the most prevalent non-official mother tongues among
immigrants in Toronto
In Toronto, three quarters of immigrants say that their mother tongue is a language other
than English or French. Chinese 3 languages (21.3%) are the most commonly cited mother
tongue in Toronto, followed by Italian (6.8%), Spanish (5.9%) and Portuguese (5.5%).
Please refer to Chart 12.
The proportion of immigrants with a Chinese language mother tongue in Toronto is
considerably higher than the province as a whole – 21.3% compared to 16.1%.
Chart 12 – Top 15 4 Non-Official Mother Tongue Languages – Immigrant Population in
Toronto
Dutch
Other languages
Russian
Persian (Farsi)
Tamil
Arabic
Urdu
German
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino)
Polish
Panjabi (Punjabi)
Portuguese
Spanish
Italian
Chinese languages
2.1
2.3
2.5
2.6
2.8
3.1
3.3
3.5
3.5
5.0
5.2
5.5
5.9
6.8
21.3
0.0 3.0 6.0 9.0 12.0 15.0 18.0 21.0 24.0
Percentage
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
3 This includes responses of Cantonese, Mandarin, Taiwanese or “Chinese” (cases where the
respondent did not specify which Chinese language was their mother tongue).
4 Single Response
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 23

One-third of the racialized community have a Chinese language as their mother
tongue
Among members of racialized groups, one-third (32.2%) say that their mother tongue is a
Chinese language. This is proportionally four times more than the next most prevalent
mother tongue – Tamil and Tagalog (both 8.1%). Please refer to Chart 13.
Chart 13 – Top 15 Non-Official Mother Tongue Languages – Members of Racialized Groups –
Toronto
Somali
Hindi
Bengali
Arabic
Other languages
Vietnamese
Panjabi (Punjabi)
Korean
Gujarati
Persian (Farsi)
Urdu
Spanish
Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino)
Tamil
Chinese Languages
1.5
1.7
2.6
2.6
3.3
3.4
3.4
4.0
4.0
4.4
5.4
7.3
8.1
8.1
32.2
0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0
Percentage
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 24

Education
Level of Education
More recent immigrants have completed university
Overall, recent immigrants who are of working age are highly educated. In 2006, nearly
two-thirds (61.7%) of recent immigrants between 25 and 64 years had completed
university – a considerably higher proportion than the immigrant community, racialized
community and the total population. Please refer to Chart 14.
Educational attainment is similar amongst immigrants, racialized groups and overall
population
Educational attainment of immigrants, members of racialized groups and Torontonians as
a whole are similar across the various education categories. For example, roughly two in
five have a university degree, and roughly one in five has their high school certificate or
equivalent. Please refer to Chart 14.
Chart 14 – Highest Level of Education Attained – Ages 25 to 64 Years – Toronto
70.0
60.0
61.7
Percentage
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
15.1
13.1 12.4
9.6
21.2 22.0 21.1
15.4
7.0
3.8
6.3
6.2
15.1 15.316.4
9.5
41.6
43.343.9
0.0
No certificate,
diploma or degree
High school
certificate or
equivalent
Apprenticeship or
trades certificate or
diploma
College, CEGEP or
other non-university
certificate or
diploma
University
certificate, diploma
or degree
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 25

Fields of Study
Business and technology fields are the most popular areas of study
The two most popular areas of study for people residing in Toronto are business,
management and public administration; and architecture, engineering, and related
technologies. This is the case for all population groups in Table 3. These two areas of
study are particularly prominent among recent immigrants – nearly half (47.8%) study in
either business or technology. This proportion is greater than the total population where
about 40% of people study in these two fields. Please refer to Table 3.
Table 3 – Major Field of Study Ages 25 to 64 by Population Groups – Toronto
Major Field of Study
Immigrants
Recent
Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized
Groups
Total
Population
Business, management and
public administration
Architecture, engineering, and
related technologies
Health, parks, recreation and
fitness
Social and behavioural
sciences and law
Mathematics, computer and
information sciences
22.9% 22.1% 25.2% 22.7%
22.7% 25.7% 20.5% 17.5%
11.6% 10.7% 12.7% 10.9%
10.7% 9.6% 10.5% 14.3%
8.1% 8.7% 8.6% 6.9%
Humanities 6.3% 6.7% 5.8% 7.6%
Physical and life sciences and
technologies
4.8% 5.8% 5.2% 4.3%
Education 4.7% 4.4% 4.1% 5.7%
Visual and performing arts,
and communications
technologies
Personal, protective and
transportation services
Agriculture, natural resources
and conservation
3.9% 2.9% 3.5% 5.9%
3.1% 1.9% 2.8% 3.1%
1.2% 1.6% 1.1% 1.1%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 26

Industry
Manufacturing is the top ranked employment industry across all population groups
Overall in Toronto, manufacturing was the top industry for employment in 2006 –
employing 11.7% of people in the workforce. The proportion of immigrants, recent
immigrants and members of racialized groups working in manufacturing is considerably
higher, ranging from 16.4 to18% respectively. Please refer to Table 4.
Close to one in ten recent immigrants is employed in accommodation and food
services industries
Despite the fact that the majority of recent immigrants have completed university, not all
are finding employment in their chosen fields – at least initially – manufacturing, retail, and
accommodation and food services were the top three industries of employment for
newcomers.
Among newcomers, close to one in ten (9.6%) worked in the accommodation and food
services industries in 2006 – the third top ranked industry for recent immigrants, but
ranked seventh for the total population. Please refer to Table 4.
Table 4 – Top Ranked Industries by Population Groups – Toronto
Industry
Immigrants
Recent
Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized
Groups
Total
Population 5
Manufacturing 1 16.4% 1 18.0% 1 16.8% 1 11.7%
Retail trade 2 9.7% 2 10.5% 2 10.8% 3 9.9%
Health care and social
assistance
Professional, scientific and
technical services
Accommodation and food
services
3 9.4% 5 7.6% 3 9.7% 4 8.9%
4 8.9% 4 9.5% 5 8.1% 2 10.8%
5 7.4% 3 9.6% 4 8.5% 7 6.4%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
5 For the total population, the fifth ranked industry is finance and insurance (7.5%)
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 27

Occupations
Sales and service, and business jobs employ the largest proportion of people
Across all four population groups looked at in Table 5, sales and service, and business,
finance and administration jobs are the top-two ranked occupations in Toronto – employing
at least 43% of the people. Please refer to Table 5.
More than one-quarter of recent immigrants work in sales and service jobs
Amongst newcomers to Toronto, more than one-quarter (28.3%) work in sales and service
jobs. This is the highest proportion among all groups, and is considerably higher than the
population as a whole (22.8%). Please refer to Table 5.
A smaller proportion of immigrants, newcomers and people in racialized groups worked in
management occupations when compared to Torontonians overall. While management
was the third most prevalent occupation amongst the overall population, it ranked sixth for
immigrants, newcomers and members of the racialized community. Please refer to Table
5.
Table 5 – Top Ranked Major Occupations by Population Groups – Toronto
Occupation
Immigrants
Recent
Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized
Groups
Total
Population 6
Sales and service 1 24.4% 1 28.3% 1 26.2% 1 22.8%
Business, finance and
administration
Trades, transport and
equipment operators and
related occupations
Processing, manufacturing
and utilities
Natural and applied sciences
and related occupations
2 19.4% 2 16.9% 2 20.7% 2 20.7%
3 12.1% 5 10.8% 4 10.0% 4 10.2%
4 11.2% 3 13.7% 3 12.2% 7 7.1%
5 9.0% 4 11.1% 5 8.6% 6 8.1%
Management 6 8.5% 6 6.0% 6 7.4% 3 10.6%
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
6 For the total population, the fifth ranked occupation is social science, education, government
service and religion (9.6%).
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 28

Labour Force
Labour force information in this section uses responses that refer to the period of time
preceding the Census in May 2006. Since that time there have been significant changes in
the state of the economy in Ontario including increased unemployment rates, loss of fulltime
jobs, and a downturn in the automotive and related manufacturing sectors.
Work Activity
Recent immigrants far more likely to have only part-time work
Overall at the time of the Census, more than half of workers had full-time jobs 7 (50.8%)
and about 42% worked part-time 8 . The proportions are similar for immigrants overall but
do not hold true for recent immigrants. Among newcomers, a much smaller proportion –
about one-third (35.8%) – worked full-time while the majority (55.2%) held part-time jobs.
Please refer to Chart 15.
Employed people among racialized groups were nearly as likely to work part-time in 2006
as they were to work full-time: fewer than half (46.5%) worked full-time, while a similar
share (46.1%) held part-time jobs or worked part of the time. Please refer to Chart 15.
Chart 15 – Population Groups with Employment Income by Work Activity – Toronto
60.0
49.4
42.8
55.2
46.5
46.1
50.8
42.4
40.0
35.8
Percentage
20.0
0.0
Immigrants
Recent immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of Racialized
Groups
Total Population
Worked full year, full time
Worked part year or part time
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
7 Earned employment income and worked 49 to 52 weeks in 2005, mostly full-time.
8 Earned employment income rand worked less than 49 weeks or worked mostly part time in 2005.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 29

Employment
In Toronto in 2006, three out of five (60.1%) people were in the work or labour force 9 .
Among immigrants, recent immigrants and people in racialized groups, the proportion
employed or available for work was slightly lower than that of Torontonians overall.
Fewer women are in the labour force than are men – this is true across all the population
groups in Chart 16. In the total population, about 10% fewer women work than do men:
among recent immigrants, the gender employment gap is closer to 20%. Please refer to
Chart 16.
Fewer immigrant women are in the labour force
Overall, immigrant women are less likely to be in the workforce than are women from
racialized groups or the total population. About half of immigrant or newcomer women are
in the workforce compared to 54.4% for women in racialized groups and 55% of women
overall. Please refer to Chart 16.
Chart 16 – Employment Rate by Population Groups by Gender – Toronto
100.0
Percentage
75.0
50.0
25.0
68.0
63.8
65.2 65.7
56.8 58.5 59.5 60.1
54.4 55.0
50.7 50.2
0.0
Immigrants
Recent Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized Groups
Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Total Male Female
9 Labour force includes the proportion of all people aged 15 years and older who are employed or
unemployed (looking or available for work). It excludes students, homemakers, retired workers, and
seasonal workers in an 'off' season who were not looking for work, persons who could not work
because of a long term illness or disability, and institutional residents.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 30

Unemployment
In Toronto in 2006, 7.6% of people in the labour force were unemployed 10 , which is higher
than the province overall (6.4%). On the whole, unemployment among immigrants – and
recent immigrants in particular – as well as people from racialized groups is greater than in
the general population. One exception is among immigrant men whose unemployment
levels are slightly lower than the other groups.
Unemployment highest among recent immigrants
Even though recent immigrants have the highest proportion of working-age people having
completed university, they also had the highest proportion of unemployed people. One in
eight (12.6%) newcomers in the labour force in 2006 was available or looking for work –
exactly five percentage points more than in the total population. Please refer to Chart 17.
Unemployment among women recent immigrants is double that of women overall
As Chart 17 shows, a greater share of women are unemployed than are men. While this is
the case across all population groups, it is most evident among women who are recent
immigrants. In 2006, more than one in seven (15.1%) newcomer women in the work force
was available or looking for work – almost double the proportion for women in Toronto
overall (8.2%). Please refer to Chart 17.
Chart 17 – Unemployment Rate by Population Groups by Gender – Toronto
20.0
15.1
12.6
Percentage
10.0
8.1
7.1
9.2
10.4
9.5
8.6
10.4
7.6
7.1
8.2
0.0
Immigrants
Recent Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized Groups
Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Total Male Female
10 Unemployment is expressed as a rate that refers to the percentage of people available or looking
for work within the total labour force.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 31

Unemployment is higher in Toronto than in the province as a whole
Across all population groups listed in Chart 18, Toronto has higher levels of unemployment
than Ontario overall. The difference is fairly evenly spread across the four groups, ranging
from a 0.7% difference for recent immigrants to a 1.3% difference for immigrants. Please
refer to Chart 18.
Chart 18 – Unemployment Rate by Population Groups – Toronto and Ontario
20.0
Percentage
15.0
10.0
8.1
12.6
9.5
7.6
6.8
11.9
8.7
6.4
5.0
0.0
Toronto
Ontario
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 32

Income Overview
The income section compares and highlights differences in income levels between
immigrants, newcomers, members of racialized groups and the general population.
Immigrants – and especially recent immigrants – earned less than the total population in
2005 11 and in general people in racialized groups had earnings somewhere between those
of immigrants and recent immigrants. This held true across different income types 12 – such
as total or employment income.
Immigrants
Overall, incomes among immigrants are considerably less
At the time of the Census, immigrants in Toronto earned less than Torontonians overall –
regardless of the measure, average or median 13 , income overall or income from
employment. In 2005, immigrants earned, on average, $32,172 whereas the total
population earned an average of $40,376 – a gap of more than $8,000.
Immigrants have a slightly higher proportion of people earning between $10,000 and
$30,000 than recent immigrants, members of a racialized community and the population
as a whole.
Immigrants earn less in Toronto than in other urban centres in the province
Immigrants in Toronto earn less than immigrants within the province as a whole – roughly
$2,000 less both in terms of average and median income. In fact, immigrants from Toronto
earn less than immigrants in other urban centres in Ontario. In Ottawa, for example,
immigrants earn an average income of $41,000, which is $5,000 more than in Toronto.
Immigrants in York earn $7,000 more than immigrants in Toronto.
See Charts 19 through 22.
11 Income data is based on 2005 income earnings
12
The Census provides a number of ways to measure a community’s collective income – such as
earnings through employment or total income (earnings from wages, salaries or self-employment,
investments, pensions and government transfers) as two examples. For this report, income data
was evaluated from the perspective of total and employment income to provide a broad, yet
comprehensive picture on the status of income within the immigrant, newcomer and racialized
group communities and the total population.
13 The median income is the income level at which half of the individuals are above and half of the
individuals are below. The median is a distribution measure that is less affected by the presence of
extreme values than the average.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 33

Recent Immigrants
Recent immigrants bring in or earn much less than immigrants overall, people in racialized
groups, or the total population. This may be related to the fact that more than half of
newcomers work part-time and only one-third had full-time work at the time of the Census.
Total average income for newcomers is half that of the total population
In 2005, total incomes for newcomers were almost half that of the general population. The
average income for recent immigrants in Toronto was $19,859 compared to $40,376 for
the total population.
Four in ten recent immigrants bring in less than $10,000 per year
Recent immigrants are overrepresented in the lowest income levels. Four in ten had a total
income of less than $10,000 and nearly two-thirds (63.5%) had a total income of less than
$20,000. Likewise, recent immigrants are severely underrepresented in the higher income
levels. Only 7% of recent immigrants earned $50,000 or more, far less than the population
overall (22.2%).
Women newcomers in Ontario earned about half the income of women overall
The median income for female newcomers was only $12,605, roughly half that of women
in Toronto overall ($25,016). Part of that difference reflects the high proportion of recent
immigrants with part-time jobs and the low proportion working full-time.
In addition, among newcomers, women earned about $7,300 less than men.
See Charts 19 through 22.
People in racialized groups
Incomes among working people in racialized groups fall between those of immigrants and
recent immigrants, and are substantially lower than in the total population.
People in racialized groups earn considerably less than the total population
In 2005, people in racialized groups brought in, on average, $14,000 less per year than
Torontonians overall ($26,611 vs. $40,376). The difference between these two groups isn’t
quite as pronounced when considering the mid-point of total income. Half of the people in
racialized groups had an income totalling $18,527 or less compared to $24,544 for half of
Torontonians overall (a difference of approximately $6,000). This difference could reflect
the fact that members of racialized groups have proportionally less full-time work and more
part-time work in comparison to Toronto overall.
Nearly one-third of people in racialized groups brought in less than $10,000
Similarly to recent immigrants, a high proportion of people in racialized groups received
less than $10,000 in total income in 2005. Close to one-third (29.2%) of members of
racialized groups received less than $10,000, which is a considerably higher proportion
than both the total population and immigrants overall. More than half (52.6%) of people in
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 34

acialized groups received less than $20,000 in income in 2005, and just 13% received
$50,000 or more.
Smaller earning gap between men and women
While women who are members of racialized groups still earned less than their male
counterparts, the difference in earnings was nevertheless smaller when compared to
immigrants, recent immigrants and the city’s population as a whole. Amongst members of
racialized groups, there was a gender income gap of approximately $6,000 compared to
between $7000 and $8,000 for the other population groups.
See Charts 19 through 22.
Chart 19 – Average and Median Individual Income by Population Groups – Toronto
$45,000
$40,376
$32,172
$30,000
$15,000
$19,859
$26,611
$24,544
$21,236
$18,527
$13,882
$0
Average Individual Income
Median Individual Income
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 35

Chart 20 – Individual Income Levels by Population Groups – Toronto
$80,000 and over
$50,000 to $79,999
$30,000 to $49,999
$20,000 to $29,999
$10,000 to $19,999
Under $10,000
3.7
1.7
5.3
5.3
8.6
9.3
10.9
13.6
14.5
14.0
14.7
15.0
15.6
20.6
19.7
20.6
20.7
23.4
23.8
24.3
22.5
23.3
29.2
39.7
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0
Percentage
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 36

Chart 21 – Average and Median Employment Income by Population Groups – Toronto
$60,000
$45,000
$43,713
$35,713
$30,000
$21,918
$29,828
$25,760
$22,929
$28,675
$15,000
$15,789
$-
Average Employment Income
Median Employment Income
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Chart 22
– Median Employment Income by Population Groups and by Gender – Toronto
$45,000
$30,000
$29,972
$22,147
$19,871
$26,152
$20,006
$32,107
$25,016
$15,000
$12,605
$0
Immigrants
Recent Immigrants
(2001-2006)
Members of
Racialized Groups
Total Population
Male
Female
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 37

Low-Income
This section looks at people living below the low-income cut-off from four perspectives –
by households, young children, seniors and families.
The low-income cut-off 14 (LICO) identifies individuals or families who are substantially
worse off than the average person or family. The cut-off measures which families or
unattached individuals spend 20% more on average on food, shelter and clothing than
comparable families or individuals. The cut-off in income levels is differentiated by the size
of the family and whether people live in urban or rural communities.
The information in the charts below is provided after tax. After-tax income better reflects
what families and individuals have available to spend and is more equally distributed than
before-tax income since those with higher incomes pay taxes at a higher rate.
Households
Toronto residents far more likely to live below the low-income cut-off
In comparison to Ontario overall, Torontonians – whether looking at immigrants, members
of a racialized community or the population as a whole – are more likely to live in
households 15 where income levels were below the cut-off. In fact, the gap is larger with
respect to the total population than with immigrants or members of racialized groups.
Please refer to Chart 23.
One-quarter of racialized households live below the low-income cut-off
In Toronto in 2006, about one in five (19.4%) people lived in households where income
levels were below the cut-off. In contrast, one-quarter (26.4%) of members of racialized
communities lived below the cut-off levels. Please refer to Chart 23.
14 Statistics Canada clearly and consistently emphasizes that low-income cut-offs (LICOs) are not
measures of poverty, but rather reflect a consistent and well-defined method to identify those who
are substantially worse off than average. LICOs are based on 2005 income levels.
15 Household – A person or a group people who live in the same dwelling – people may or may not
be related to each other by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption. See Concepts and
Definitions - Household for more information
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 38

Chart 23
– Population
16 Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax – Toronto and Ontario
40.0
30.0
26.4
Percentage
20.0
21.8
19.4
15.4
20.9
11.1
10.0
0.0
Toronto
Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Immigrants Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
16 People in households.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 39

Children
In 2006 in Toronto, a significantly higher proportion of children under the age of six years
lived in households with income below LICO 17 levels than in the province as a whole. This
is the case when considering immigrants, members of racialized groups and the total
population. Please refer to Chart 24.
Over 6,000 young immigrant children in Toronto live in low-income households
In Toronto in 2006, nearly half (48.4%) of children under six who were immigrants lived in
households where the income was considered to be below LICO levels. In terms of real
numbers, this amounts to over 6,000 children. Please refer to Chart 24.
Young children who are racialized are also at risk
While one-quarter (25.7%) of children under the age of six in Toronto lived in a household
below LICO, the proportion is considerably higher for children within racialized groups.
One-third (33.4%) of children from racialized groups lived in a household with income
below LICO levels. Please refer to Chart 24.
Chart 24 – Children under Six Years Old Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax –
Toronto and Ontario
60.0
50.0
48.4
Percentage
40.0
30.0
20.0
33.4
25.7
39.2
25.6
14.8
10.0
0.0
Toronto
Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Immigrants Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
17 LICO – low-income cut-off
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 40

Seniors
Overall in Toronto, one in eight (12.5%) seniors has income levels below the cut-off – this
includes seniors living on their own as well as those who live with others. This proportion is
more than double that of Ontario as a whole. In fact, the proportion of seniors in Toronto
living below LICO levels was also considerably higher for both immigrants and members of
racialized communities when compared to the province overall. Please refer to Chart 25.
A higher share of seniors in racialized groups live in low-income households
About one in five (18.9%) seniors who are members of racialized groups lived in
households with low-income in 2006 – more than the share of immigrant seniors or seniors
overall. Please refer to Chart 25.
Chart 25
– Seniors
18 Living below the Low-Income Cut-Off After-Tax – Toronto and Ontario
40.0
30.0
Percentage
20.0
13.9
18.9
12.5
13.9
10.0
8.2
5.9
0.0
Toronto
Ontario
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
Immigrants Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
18 In households.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 41

Families
Information about low-income among families 19 provides the added perspective of recent
immigrants and comparison of this group with immigrants, people in racialized groups and
the total population.
In 2006, proportionally more families in Toronto lived below the low-income cut-off than in
Ontario overall. This is the case for all population groups listed in Chart 26.
Newcomer families are substantially worse off than average
People in immigrant, recent immigrant and racialized group families more commonly have
income levels below the LICO 20 than does the total population. This is most apparent
among recent immigrants where more than one-third (36.4%) were below cut-off levels.
This is more than double the proportion for Toronto as a whole.
Living below the LICO is also prevalent among families of racialized groups –
approximately one in four (23.7%) lived below the low-income cut-off. Please refer to Chart
26.
Chart 26 – Persons in Economic Families Living below the Low Income Cut-Off After-Tax –
Toronto and Ontario
50.0
40.0
36.4
Percentage
30.0
20.0
18.7
23.7
16.3
13.4
31.1
18.8
10.0
8.9
0.0
Toronto
Ontario
Immigrants Recent Immigrants (2001-2006) Members of Racialized Groups Total Population
Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2006
19 Economic families - includes people who live in a household in which one or more of the other
household members is related to them by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption or is their
foster parent or child. See Concepts and Definitions - Economic families for more information.
20 LICO – low-income cut-off
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 42

Concepts and Definitions
Additional concepts and more detailed definitions may be found in the Statistics Canada
Census Dictionary.
After-tax income
Refers to total income minus federal, provincial and territorial income taxes paid for
calendar year 2005. After-tax income is the total income from all sources minus income
tax, which better reflects what families have available to spend. After-tax income is also
more equally distributed than before-tax income since those with higher incomes pay taxes
at a higher rate. Total income refers to income from all sources, including employment
income, income from government programs, pension income, investment income and any
other money income. Federal, provincial and territorial taxes paid refer to taxes on income,
after taking into account exemptions, deductions, non-refundable tax credits and the
Quebec abatement. These taxes are obtained from the income tax files for persons who
allowed access to their income tax data and from direct responses on the questionnaire for
others
Average income
The average income refers to the mean income of individuals 15 years of age and over
who reported income for 2005. Average income is calculated by dividing the aggregate
income of a specified group of individuals by the number of individuals with income in that
group.
Asia and the Middle East
This region includes people from Southern Asia (e.g. India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.),
Eastern Asia (e.g. China, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.), Southeast Asia (e.g. Philippines,
Vietnam, Indonesia, etc.), and West-Central Asia and the Middle East (e.g. Afghanistan,
Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, etc.).
Eastern Asia
This region includes people from China, Hong Kong, Japan, etc.
Economic family
Economic family includes persons who live in a household in which one or more of the
other household members is related to them by blood, marriage, common-law or adoption
or is their foster parent or child. By definition, all persons who are members of a census
family are also members of an economic family. Examples of the broader concept of
economic family include the following: two co-resident census families who are related to
one another are considered one economic family; co-resident siblings who are not
members of a census family are considered as one economic family; and, nieces or
nephews living with aunts or uncles are considered one economic family.
Employment income
Refers to the income received by persons 15 years of age and over during calendar year
2005 as wages and salaries, net income from a non-farm unincorporated business and/or
professional practice, and/or net farm self-employment income.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 43

Employment rate
Refers to the number of persons employed in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to
Census Day (May 16, 2006), expressed as a percentage of the total population 15 years of
age and over.
The employment rate for a particular group (age, sex, marital status, geographic area, etc.)
is the number employed in that group, expressed as a percentage of the population 15
years of age and over, in that group.
Highest certificate, diploma or degree
This is a derived variable indicating the person’s most advanced certificate or degree.
Household
Refers to a person or a group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy the
same dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada. It may
consist of a family group (census family) with or without other persons, of two or more
families sharing a dwelling, of a group of unrelated persons, or of one person living alone.
Household members who are temporarily absent on Census Day (e.g., temporary
residents elsewhere) are considered as part of their usual household. For census
purposes, every person is a member of one and only one household. Unless otherwise
specified, all data in household reports are for private households only.
Immigrants
Refers to people who are, or have been landed immigrants in Canada. A landed immigrant
is a person who has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration
authorities. Some immigrants have resided in Canada for a number of years, while others
have arrived recently.
Income – collection methodology in 2006
For the first time in 2006, the Census offered respondents the option to have Statistics
Canada access their tax records rather than complete the census income questions.
82.4% of all respondents completing the census long form chose the tax option. There are
some differences between tax data and self-reported income data—the former are
generally more precise and small amounts are better reported. Additionally, the use of tax
data means that the census can produce estimates of after-tax income.
Income status after-tax
Refers to the position of an economic family or persons not in economic families 15 years
of age and over in relation to Statistics Canada's low-income after-tax cut-offs.
Labour force
Labour force refers to persons 15 years of age and over who were either employed or
unemployed during the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006). It
excludes students, homemakers, retired workers, and seasonal workers in an 'off' season
who were not looking for work, persons who could not work because of a long term illness
or disability and institutional residents.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 44

Labour force participation / Participation rate
The rate of labour force participation is the percentage of the total active population, or the
population that is employed or looking for work, compared to the population 15 years of
age and over. Respondents were classified as Employed, Unemployed, or Not in the
labour force. The labour force includes the employed and the unemployed.
Low income
The incidence of low-income is the proportion or percentage of economic families or
persons not in economic families who spend 20% more than average on food, shelter and
clothing in a given classification below the low-income cut-offs. These incidence rates are
calculated from unrounded estimates of economic families and unattached individuals 15
years of age and over.
Low-Income Cut-Offs (LICO)
Income levels at which families or persons not in economic families spend 20% more than
average on food, shelter and clothing. The low-income cut-off is based on national family
expenditure data, the size of the household and the residential area. The incidence of lowincome
is the proportion or percentage of families or persons not in families in a given
classification who falls below the low-income cut-off.
Major field of study – Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP)
Major field of study refers to the main discipline or subject area of learning or training of
the person's highest postsecondary degree, certificate or diploma.
Median income
The median income of a specified group of income recipients is that amount which divides
their income size distribution into two halves, i.e. the incomes of the first half of individuals
are below the median, while those of the second half are above the median.
Mother tongue
Refers to the first language learned at home in childhood and still understood by the
individual at the time of the census.
Occupation
Occupation refers to the type of work performed by the respondent during the reference
week, as determined by their kind of work and the description of the most important duties
in their job. The 2006 Census data on occupation are classified according to the National
Occupational Classification for Statistics 2006 (NOC–S 2006).
Racialized groups
Although many people, including Statistics Canada, use the term visible minority, OTF
prefers the term “racialized groups”. In recent years, the term “racialized” has become
increasingly common and preferred to “visible minority.” Racialized reflects that people are
subject to racism and made to feel different because of their particular racial or ethnic
background, not that there are inherent genetic or biological inequalities.
In this report, statistical information about members of racialized groups is based on the
respondent’s answer to the census question concerning visible minority groups. The
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 45

Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities as persons, other than Aboriginal
peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.
Recent immigrants
Refers to people who are, or have been, landed immigrants in Canada and arrived
between 2001 and 2006.
Southeast Asia
This region includes people from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, etc.
Southern Asia
This region includes people from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.
Total income
Total income refers to the total revenues received from the following sources during the
calendar year 2005 by persons 15 years of age and over: total wages and salaries, net
income from unincorporated non-farm business and / or professional practice, net farm
income, self-employment income, government transfers (Old Age Security pension and
Guaranteed Income Supplement, Canada Pension Plan benefits, Employment Insurance
benefits, Child benefits, and other income from government sources), investment income
(dividends, interest and other investment income), retirement pensions, superannuation
and annuities and other financial income.
Unemployment rate
The unemployment rate refers to the unemployed expressed as a percentage of the
labour force in the week (Sunday to Saturday) prior to Census Day (May 16, 2006).
The unemployment rate for a particular group (age, sex, marital status, geographic area,
etc.) is the unemployed in that group, expressed as a percentage of the labour force in that
group, in the week prior to enumeration.
Visible minority
See Racialized Groups.
West-Central Asia and the Middle East
This region includes people from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Saudi
Arabia, etc.
Data Sources
The data presented is based on Statistics Canada’s Census of Population (2001 and
2006) and uses the Standard Geographic Areas from the Census. For the 2006 Census,
the Census Division of Toronto contained only the City of Toronto.
Ontario Trillium Foundation – Diversity in Toronto: A Community Profile 46