ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the social, economic and spatial dimensions, all three of which are important aspects of the recent immigrant populations and play a crucial role in this attempt to understand their impact on Canadian cities. Globalization has transformed the urban economy in various ways, having a tremendous impact on the integration of immigrants. Reitz points out that while the human capital of immigrants has declined over the years, the educational achievement of Canadians has increased. The racial and ethnic earnings differentials among recent immigrants suggests that local labour markets cannot fully utilize the human capital resources found within these groups. Wilson, drawing on data from Chicago, has argued that people living in poor neighbourhoods have become isolated from mainstream institutions, role models and job information. Ethnic communities also provide ethnic activities for ethnic members, and ethnic members maintain ties with ethnic communities even if they have been in the country for a longer period.
