Most Current Research on Social Change in Canada

Most Current Research on Social Change in Canada

The Philippine Reporter believes that research matters. Hence, it is publishing information on some of the latest research gems significant to everyone.
These studies are lifted from the SPAR (Social Policy Analysis and Research) Monitor, an inventory of recent social research information relevant to social policy. — Editors

This bulletin is a quick inventory of recent social research information. Its purpose is to promptly disseminate the most current external and internal research relevant to social policy. It is published by City of Toronto’s Social Development, Finance and Aministration Division.

Census 2011 Backgrounder – Families, Households and Dwellings, City of Toronto, September 19, 2012.

Census 2011 Backgrounder – Families, Households and Dwellings The City has released a Backgrounder for the release of Census 2011 data regarding families, households, marital status and structural types of dwellings. The Backgrounder details the changes in family and household characteristics in the City and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

• In 2011 there were 690,340 families in Toronto (up 20,235 from 2006) and 1,665,205 in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) – up 131,540 over 2006

• Since 2006, the number of common-law families in Toronto increased by 13.6%, lone parent families by 8.0%, whereas married couples remained the same with a slight increase of 0.2%

• The number of couple families with children in Toronto continues to decline Couples without children rose 5.6% in Toronto and increased 10.6% in the GTA between 2006 and 2011.

For link to the Backgrounder:
http://www.toronto.ca/demographics/pdf/censusbackgrounder_hhds_2011.pdf

Toronto’s Vital Signs Report: By Toronto Community Foundation, 2012.

The report identifies progress to be proud of and challenges that need to be addressed. It is a snapshot of the trends and issues affecting the quality of life in our city. Each of the interconnected issue areas is critical to the well-being of Toronto and its residents.

• Toronto or “the city” refers to the former Metropolitan Toronto, which consisted of Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough, York and the Borough of East York

• The median age in Toronto rose from 36.9 to 39.2 years in the past 15 years

• By 2031, almost 80% of Toronto residents will likely be immigrants or children of immigrant parents

• Toronto ranked first on the Canadian Metropolitan Economic Activity Index

• Toronto region is a major destination with 9.8 million overnight visitors contributing $4.6 billion to the economy in 2011

• By 2025, almost 60% of Toronto neighbourhoods could be low-income

• Physical inactivity is now costing the Canadian economy more than $6.8 billion annually.

For link to the report:
http://www.tcf.ca/sites/default/files/TVS_2012_Full_Report.pdf

Cities of Migration: Good Ideas from Successful Cities, Municipal Leadership on Immigrant Integration,
By Maytree Foundation, September 2012.

It is in the capacity of every city in the world to provide a better welcome and contribute to immigrant success by creating the conditions for investment, attachment and belonging.

Cities are uniquely positioned to learn from one another and to adapt and replicate good practice. Whatever the legal and jurisdictional framework, or differences in municipal responsibilities, cities around the world are accountable to their constituents and have a wide range of levers to introduce change – through policy instruments (equality, inclusion, non-discrimination), as service providers (settlement, education, housing, police, etc.), as employers and diversity managers, and as the drivers of the local economy – from infrastructure and procurement to support for investment, entrepreneurship and small business incubation.

• People move to cities because that is where opportunity exists at scale for work, school, entertainment, acceptance and love

• Cities attract people and talents from all different places and is the spirited process of immigration and integration that makes great cities thrive

• Cities are these marvellous man–made places where we come together to be better and to do the things we can’t do alone

• Local governments are most directly and immediately impacted by the lives, successes and challenges of immigrants.

For link to the study:
http://citiesofmigration.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Municipal_Report_Main_Report3.pdf

Job Vacancies, Three-Month Period Ending in June 2012,
Statistics Canada, September 18, 2012.

Canadian businesses had 263,000 job vacancies in June, 20,000 more than in June 2011. There were 5.3 unemployed people for every job vacancy, down from 5.8 in June 2011. The decline in this ratio of unemployment to job vacancies was the result of an increase in job vacancies combined with a decline in the number of unemployed people.

• Provincially, the highest ratios of unemployed people to job vacancies were in Eastern Canada

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, there were 10.6 unemployed people for every vacancy in June, followed by Nova Scotia (10.0) and New Brunswick (9.3)

• In Quebec, the ratio in June was 7.7 unemployed people for every job vacancy, up from 5.0 in June 2011

• The ratio for Ontario in June was 6.7, little changed from 12 months earlier

• In Saskatchewan, the ratio declined from 3.0 to 1.9 over the same period, entirely because of an increase in job vacancies from 9,300 to 15,000

• In Alberta, there were 1.6 unemployed for every job vacancy, down from 2.8 in June 2011

• In Prince Edward Island, the ratio fell over this 12-month period from 11.5 unemployed people per job vacancy to 6.4.

For link to the report:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120918/dq120918a-eng.pdf