Immigration and Structural Change: The Canadian Experience, 1971-1986

The educational, occupational, industrial and income characteristics of immigrants in Canada, 1971-1986, are considered in the context of postindustrial structural changes in the economic and social system, including declining primary and secondary sectors. Seven alternative theoretical models are reviewed. A composite model of "segmented structural change" is found to correspond more closely than alternative theoretical perspectives to the empirical evidence. Specifically, immigrants are found at all levels of the system, but there is differential incorporation by gender, ethnicity and period of immigration. Recent immigrants from Third World countries tend to be disadvantaged.