p. 4 An Immigration Strategy for Huron County
BACKGROUND
In 2008, the County of Huron Planning and Development Department, and the Huron Business Development Corporation, sought an opportunity to investigate and assess Huron’s demographics and population trends. A key driver behind these efforts was the prediction that population growth in the future would come from immigrants coming to Canada rather than natural increase. In observing a slight decline in Huron County population in both the 2001 and 2006 census reports, the timing of such an undertaking seemed extremely relevant.
The County of Huron Planning and Development Department applied to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) for funding to support the development of a Local Immigration Partnership (LIP) Council to address these issues.
In setting up the program to support the establishment of these partnerships, Citizenship and Immigration Canada stated their role as follows:
Local Immigration Partnerships (LIPs) will provide a collaborative framework for, and facilitate the development and implementation of, sustainable local and regional solutions for successful integration of immigrants to Ontario. LIPs seek to help communities put immigration on their overall planning agenda in order for communities to benefit from the successful social and economic integration of new immigrants. This initiative will be implemented in two phases: phase one will include the establishment/or enhancement of a partnership council and the development of a settlement strategy to;
1. Improve access to, and coordination of, effective services that facilitate immigrant settlement and integration. 2. Improve access to the labour market for immigrants. 3. Strengthen local and regional awareness and capacity to integrate immigrants. 4. Establish or enhance partnerships and participation of multiple stakeholders in planning, and coordinating the delivery of integration services (including settlement, language training, labour market integration), especially current services supported by the federal government through Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or through the provincial Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
An Immigration Strategy for Huron County p. 5
About Huron
Huron County, Ontario has been described as a patchwork quilt of rural Canadian towns, farm landscapes, parks and shoreline, knit together by an agricultural heritage dating back almost two hundred years. Located in the southwestern portion of the Province of Ontario, north of Detroit and west of Toronto (see map) Huron County covers an area of approximately 3,400 square kilometers.
The County’s population of just less than 60,000 live in small towns, villages, and the countryside, making the region a proud, quintessentially rural Canadian community. We are “Ontario’s West Coast”.
Agriculture, tourism, creative industries, and retail service, manufacturing are the pillars of the local economy.
The County is made up of nine municipalities. The County as a whole is governed by Huron County Council.
With a significant and productive agriculture and manufacturing base, Huron County has become a recognized leader in agricultural technology and innovation. Huron County’s business community welcomes and nurtures entrepreneurs. Approximately 60% of the businesses in Huron County have one to nine employees.
- p. 6 An Immigration Strategy for Huron County
Huron County’s landscape provides a strong sense of place and heritage with a lifestyle that is the envy of many who visit the area. Local arts, culture, heritage and history combine to celebrate and preserve this special sense of place. With that said however, Huron County has still experienced a slight population decline in recent years.
In Our Nation – Rural Demographic Trends
It has been stated that all net growth in labour force in Canada will come from immigration and growth in Canadian population as at 2026 will come from only immigration.
Knowing this, regions elsewhere in Canada, have in some instances already actively pursued attracting immigrants from other countries in order to maintain a healthy labour force. For example, in Winkler, Manitoba, the town was an active participant in the provincial nominee program to address a severe "We want to make it easier for labour force shortage (Caldwell, 2010). newcomers to succeed in Ontario and contribute to the economy.
When newcomers succeed, our Roughly 250,000 people immigrate to Canada each year (this economy becomes stronger – number does not include those applying for refugee status). The creating jobs and supporting process to do so can take upwards of 5 years prior to and there services Ontarians rely on like our are a number of different paths to follow. schools and health care."
Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration In Huron
In Huron, we are not yet in the position where we would actively pursue individuals from specific countries or socio-ethnic backgrounds as was done in Winkler, Manitoba. Huron residents, however, do recognize the need to sustain the population here and realize that our population base is aging. Of that population base 63.5% are of working age compared with Ontario as a whole at 68.3% (State of the Huron Economy report).
A sustainability planning exercise undertaken through extensive community consultation in 2008 and 2009, resulted in a framework for our future. The document, entitled the ‘Take Action Report’ outlines a ‘Population Vision 2030’ which states: “Huron County will sustain a moderate population growth with increased ethnic diversity, by retaining current residents, welcoming new residents, and developing opportunities for youth, families and seniors.” As part of recognizing this vision, the Local Immigration Strategy was initiated.
An Immigration Strategy for Huron County p. 7
History of Immigration in Huron
Settlement in the 1800’s
On Friday, July 30, 1824 in a tavern in London, England, John Galt and several other businessmen, influenced by Dr. William "Tiger" Dunlop, formed the Canada Company. The Canada Company soon organized itself and bought a 1,100,000 acre piece of land west of what was then the London District. This piece of land was called the Huron Tract, and the Canada Company quickly began settling it. They divided the Huron Tract into smaller Townships, surveyed the land and built roads and other infrastructure to support the many eager colonists.
As colonization began, the government considered the large Canada Company holding to be a part of the London District. However, as the population in the Huron Tract grew and the land was developed, the London District became too large. In 1841, the Huron Tract was formally separated from the London District and named the Huron District. In these early days of Huron County’s settlement, nearly all residents of the County were born outside Canada. Most were born in the United Kingdom.
The keeping of official statistics on the numbers of people immigrating to Canada began in the 1850s. These numbers allow us to see that immigration to Canada has continued since then in a series of waves.
Waves of Immigration in Canada 1852 - 2008
500 ds)
400 (Thousan
300 Per Year
200
100 Immigrants to Canada 0 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
Immigration to Canada 1854-2008
Settlement in the mid-1900’s
As we see from the graph above, a new wave of immigration into Canada, and into Huron County, started following the Second World War. Many of these immigrants came from Western Europe (Germany, Holland, France) as well as the United Kingdom.
- p. 8 An Immigration Strategy for Huron County
Immigration Today
Today, people born in another country make up a small portion of Huron County’s population. As the table below shows, most of these persons came to Canada in the 1960s, while only a small number have arrived more recently. The average numbers of newcomers to Huron County is around 100 per year. This does not include immigrants who came but choose not to stay.
Well-established Established Recent New (over 20 years) (past 10-20 years) (past 5-10 years) (past five years) 1996 Census 3,490 520 375 180 2001 Census 3,555 515 165 590 2006 Census 3,535 450 395 275
Immigrants to Huron County have come from all parts of the world. For the most part, the well- established immigrant population came from Western Europe and the United Kingdom. In recent years, as in the rest of Canada, that traditional pattern of immigration has changed. Now there are more immigrants coming from China and South-Asian countries, and, even more recently, India.
Place of Birth of Huron County Residents 2006 Census Data
Elsewhere in Canada, 2,830 Ontario, 50,860 Africa, 15 Asia, 275 Caribbean, 80 Central & South America, 160 Europe (excl. UK), 2,435
UK & USA, 1,630
All other places, 50
Country of Birth of Huron County Residents 2006