People and Culture
English & French Speaking
As Canada is considered a bilingual (English and French) country, approximately 95% of individuals living in Newfoundland and Labrador speak English as their primarily language. In this Province, French speaking individuals are mainly located in the Port-au-Port Peninsula regions on the West coast of the island. The English spoke in Newfoundland and Labrador contains features that originate from the British Isles in southwestern England and southeastern Ireland (Association for New Canadians Newfoundland and Labrador).
According to the 2006 Grand Falls-Windsor Community Profile, released by Statistics Canada, approximately 13,130 individuals (from population of 13,385) speak only the English language while 30 individuals speak just French. The profile revealed that 10 individuals speak both English and French.
A brief 2008 survey, conducted by an Immigration Researcher hired by the Town of Grand Falls-Windsor, demonstrated current immigrants could speak various languages including English, Chinese, Afghanistan, Arabic, French, Spanish, Hindi, Malayazam, Urdu, Creole, Somali, Greek, Lebanese, Ilocano and Tagalog. The following represents the languages spoken by immigrants in Grand Falls Windsor:
Current Immigrants
Immigration is an important element of population growth in Canada. It is estimated that by the year 2030, 100 percent of Canada’s population growth will be attributed to immigration (Labour Market Development Division). According to the Atlantic Business Magazine, by 2026 the growth of the Canadian population will be dependent on the number of arriving immigrants (Bruce).
In 2003, the four Atlantic Provinces attracted 2,650 immigrants to the region. These immigrants offer various skills and diversity, including entrepreneurial skills to start businesses in Atlantic Canada. According to data from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, between the years of 1998 and 2003, there were 2,401 immigrants that came to our province Newfoundland and Labrador (Labour Market Development Division).
In 2005, Prime Minister Paul Martin stated that “Canada needs more immigrants, plain and simple, and we need them to success. Too often, today’s new Canadians, despite higher levels of education on average, are not achieving economic success as quickly as in previous generations (Bruce)”.
The 2006 Grand Falls-Windsor Census developed by Statistics Canada revealed 190 immigrants residing in the Grand Falls-Windsor area. This number consisted of individuals who had been granted the right to live in Canada by the immigration authorities. The majority of these people where born outside of Canada, however, a small number were born within. During the years of 1991-2000, there where 10 immigrants in Grand Falls-Windsor region, this number has since increased to 30 after the 2006 Census. Half of these individuals are male while the other half is females. The 2006 Census also states that approximately 20 of the non-residents that live in Grand Falls-Windsor possess a work or study permit or where refugee claimants.
A 2008 residential survey was conducted by an Immigration Researcher for The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor. Participants where asked Ways in which Immigrants Residing in Grand Falls-Windsor Would Benefit the Community, individuals responded saying:
“They bring new skill sets, a different culture, and new attitudes & hopefully lower the average age
-Economic Development Coorindator”
“Immigrants can fill labour shortages, create businesses and enlarge the market for existing companies to sell to by increasing the population”-Manufacturing Specialist
“New things to do. New Ideas. Education. More income to invest in the community”
-Asset Management Coordinator
“Be involved in the community-community minded means more than just working in the community”-Teacher
Arrival of Immigrants to Grand Falls-Windsor
According to the findings of a 2008 Immigration Survey, conducted by a researcher hired by the Town, immigrants have been arriving in Grand Falls-Windsor since the late 1950’s or earlier while most have arrived within the past 5 years. These results are based upon a questionnaire that was completed by 25 residential immigrants. The below table is representative of when these immigrants landed.
How Immigrants Heard about Grand Falls-Windsor
According to the results of a 2008 Immigration Survey, that was completed by 25 individuals, the following are some of the ways in which residing immigrants heard about Grand Falls-Windsor:
- Friends already living here
- Family
- Colleagues
- Completed Post-Graduate Training in Grand Falls-Windsor
- Employment Advertisement
- Previous Business Owner
- Was taking a drive threw Newfoundland
- Through some friends who are physicians
Deciding to Stay in Grand Falls-Windsor
A 2008 residential survey was conducted by an Immigration Researcher for The Town of Grand Falls-Windsor. Results indicated several reasons why immigrants have decided to stay in Grand Falls-Windsor:
- Employment
- Grew up here, married here and now raising family
- Satisfying Work Environment
- Friendly People
- For Business
- Parents live in Grand Falls-Windsor
- Got Married
- Nice and Quiet Place to Stay
- Small Friendly Community
- Great place to raise children
- The Location