Canada ranked among top nations on successful integration of newcomers

An influential Europe-wide immigration index probes Canada is better than many European countries in integrating newcomers into the mainstream society.

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) for 2007 is jointly sponsored by European countries to highlight "best practice" policies, and promote reforms encouraging greater social harmony and economic benefits among nations with significant immigrant inflows. MIPEX grades nations based on their immigration policies and legislative frameworks for peaceful integration in 25 European Union member states and three non-EU countries. The MIPEX survey uses over 100 policy indicators to create a multi-dimensional picture of migrants' opportunities to participate in their new homes.

Canada has been included first time in MIPEX, and ranked fifth, tied with Finland, out of 28 countries for its immigration policies, with only Sweden, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands better at promoting peaceful integration.

Canada ranked first in several other categories, including its openness to dual citizenship. Canada's score was also boosted by its anti-discrimination policies and the nation's focus on family reunification through immigration. The promotion of equality and immigrant access to human rights protection in Canada was a contributing factor to the top-five result. Canada also received a very favorable rating (80 to 89 per cent) for best practice in labor market access.

The findings of MIPEX reaffirm that Canada is a nation that's open to diversity, and set a high standard in a world where it is increasingly important to be sensitive to immigrants.