Toronto, ON, February 28, 2011 – A new study published today by the British Council and the Migration Policy Group compares and ranks Canada against 29 countries in Europe and the USA. It shows that while Canada has some of the strongest policies in place to ensure the integration of immigrants, there are still areas it can improve and learn from others.

The study finds that in Canada immigrant workers and their families benefit from the third best integration policies in the 31 MIPEX countries. Governments have made efforts to ensure that immigrants have near equal opportunities in the labour market and in the education system.  

However, the study also points to some important areas Canada could improve, including:

The need to remove the large backlog for processing immigrant applications; in 20 countries under study, there are legal time-limits to do so;

The recognition that non-citizen residents should be given the right to vote in local elections; 18 EU Member States have extended this right to their non-EU residents; and

The importance of giving leaders of immigrant associations the chance to inform integration policy through immigrant consultative bodies; 14 European countries and leading US states and cities have formal structures in place to seek the views of newcomers.

The Migration Integration Policy Index contrasts and compares integration policies across 31 countries in Europe and North America. It benchmarks whether governments grant equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all residents – international standards that have been agreed upon by EU Member States (http://bit.ly/hq0rKd). These high standards are critical as successful integration helps create more competitive and cohesive societies. Read more about the program.

For more about MIPEX and to use the online tool; Twitter tag: #MIPEX

Find the Canadian data and a link to the online press conference here.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. It helps foster the understanding between different cultures and of Britain overseas, which contributes to creating a safer, more stable UK. The Council focuses on the arts, English language, Education and Society, and operates in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. The Council is a non-political organisation which operates at arm’s length from government.

About the Migration Policy Group

The Migration Policy Group is an independent non-profit European think-tank committed to contributing to lasting and positive change resulting in open and inclusive societies.

For more information or to set up an interview with Jack Jedwab, the lead Canadian researcher involved in the study, and Executive Director, The Association for Canadian Studies, please contact

Sarah Dawbarn
Director, Quebec
British Council Canada
T 514 866 5863 ext. 2222
E sarah.dawbarn@britishcouncil.org

Markus Stadelmann-Elder
Manager
Communications, Maytree
T 416-944-2627 ext. 284
E mselder@maytree.com

Facts about the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX III)

• The MIPEX compares and ranks countries’ scores across 148 policy indicators. It provides objective and comparable data presented in a reference guide and an interactive online tool to help policymakers, civil society advocates and researchers assess, compare and improve integration.
• Countries included in this study: all 27 EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, Canada and the USA.
• The Index has been co-financed by the European Community under the European Integration Fund. The British Council is project managing the initiative with the lead research partner, the Migration Policy Group. Over 37 national-level partners have contributed to the Index study.
• The first edition of MIPEX was published in 2004 and the second edition in 2007, leading to its use by governments, press, civil society organisations. See www.mipex.eu for more information.
• MIPEX III adds countries (Bulgaria, Romania and the USA), a policy strand (Education), and new indicators (labour market integration and the implementation of policies).
• MIPEX III is not a study of migration; it is about integration of legal migrants. It does not look at increasing or decreasing influxes of migrants but instead considers best practice for those legally in country.
• The responsibility of ideas or opinions expressed in the Index lies with the authors of the project. Neither the British Council nor the European Commission is responsible for those ideas or opinions or for any use that may be made of them.
• All research partners are scholars and experts on their countries’ integration policies, independent from government and experienced in comparative research. All data has undergone anonymous peer reviews and extensive quality and consistency checks.
• The study mainly defines Europe immigrants as legal residents in the EU 27 who are nationals of non-EU countries.