Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
16,000
Hong Kong
Immigrants
Hong Kong
Business
Immigrants
12,000
Taiwan
Immigrants
Taiwan
Business
Immigrants
8,000
4,000
0
1980
1985
1990
1995
2000
Figure 3.3
Hong Kong and Taiwanese landings in Greater Vancouver, 1980-2001 (
Source
: LIDS
data base)
immigration amounted to only a little over eight percent of all immigration
to Canada during this period. Not only were the business streams impor-
tant for migrants from Hong Kong and Taiwan, but also, with 45 percent of
all BIP landings in Canada, these countries gave the programme its legs
and, to a significant degree, its political justification.
A fuller account of reasons for emigration came from the survey of 90
business entrepreneurs in Greater Vancouver who originated in equal
number from Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, and who had lived in
Canada for 8-9 years at the time of interview.
15
In response to the open
question, 'Why did you apply to immigrate to Canada?' answers were clas-
sified into five groups (Table 3.1). The most common response referred to
the country's quality of life, mentioned by almost half the entrepreneurs.
16
Quality of life was as much a mental as an empirical category, and included
a perception of pristine and unpolluted nature, a 'more relaxed' environ-
ment with attractive leisure options, and a welfare state that provided a
range of services.
I came here in 1997. I just wanted to change the environment. As you all
know, Hong Kong is so crowded. I came to visit Canada and found these
words, 'Beautiful British Columbia', on the licence plate of vehicles on the
street. It was September, summertime, very hot in Hong Kong but Vancouver's
weather was very good…We also wanted to come for our children. We have
