Seniors returning to Canada

• Published in: Perspectives on labour and income Vol. 24; no. 1; p. 1
• Main Authors: Frank, Kristyn, Hou, Feng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ottawa Statistics Canada 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Age groups; Brain drain; Canadians; Canadians in foreign countries; Censuses; Citizenship; Emigration; Employment; Home ownership; Immigrants; Labor market; Migration; Noncitizens; North American Free Trade Agreement; Older people; Population; Repatriation; Studies; Canada
• ISSN: 0840-8750; 1492-496X

In 2006, as in previous census years, most returnees were young, with about one-half between the ages of 20 and 39 and three-quarters between the ages of 20 and 49. In contrast, 13% of returnees were age 60 or older, accounting for about 19,000 individuals. There was an observable difference between Canadian-born and immigrant returnees in this regard. While 9% of Canadian-born returnees were age 60 or older, this was the case for 18% of immigrant returnees. In absolute terms, there were about 9,000 Canadian-born returnees age 60 or older and about 10,000 immigrant returnees in this age group in 2006. The United States has long been the top destination for Canadian emigrants (Easton et al. 2005; [Michalowski] and Tran 2008). DeVoretz (2009a) estimates that approximately 40% of all Canadians abroad reside in the U.S. While the United States is considered a 'traditional' destination for Canadian emigrants, some evidence suggests that an increasing share of Canadian emigrants is relocating to non-traditional nations, particularly countries in Asia (Dion and Vézina 2010). Although the source countries for older returnees were more varied in 2006 than in 1991, the top two remained the United States and the United Kingdom (Chart B). Indeed, the majority of older Canadian-born returnees resided in the U.S. 5 years prior to the 2006 Census. Census long-form respondents provided information on their country of residence 5 years earlier, allowing individuals who returned to Canada since that time to be identified. Canadian- born returnees are defined as those who were born in Canada, lived abroad 5 years prior to the census, and were back in Canada at the time of the census. Immigrant returnees are defined as those who were born in a foreign country and immigrated to Canada, lived outside of Canada 5 years prior to the census, and were residing in Canada again at the time of the census. Returnees are also referred to as 'returned emigrants' throughout the article. Immigrants and Canadian-born individuals who lived in Canada 5 years prior to the census are identified as 'stayers.' The analysis is limited to individuals age 20 or older, thereby excluding children and youth who moved with their parents. The terms 'senior' and 'older' Canadians refer to individuals age 60 years or older, unless otherwise specified.