Population and Health- Migration
Population and Health- Migration:
Population, Demography, and Immigration in my hometown – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The population of Metro Vancouver is 2,249,725 – the third largest metropolitan area in Canada. It is an ethnically diverse city with over half of residents having a first language other than English. Its development followed quickly after the building of the transcontinental railway in the late 1800’s, built mainly by new immigrants. It has an internationally significant port, exporting more than any other port in North America. It has the highest one of the world’s worst street drug problems. Vancouver is frequently ranked one of the three most livable cities in the world and has the third highest quality of living in the world.
This is just an overview of Vancouver. A few simple facts demonstrate the diversity, conflict, and contrast that are reflected by this city. Exploring some of the demographic changes, immigration facts, and health concerns helps explain the face of Vancouver today. Its liberal outlook, combined with social conditions and its economic structure, face two social issues – one immigrant related, the other drug related.
Canada is the third largest “net receivers” of migration with 190,000, many of them coming to Vancouver. The ethnic mix of Vancouver is demonstrated in its distinct neighborhoods, each reflecting a distinct cultural group, and often bilingual signs. While eastern Canada struggles with the debate on maintaining a bilingual country with a French heritage, Vancouver struggles on how to integrate a multitude of ethnic groups while maintaining the valuable culture they provide the city with. The Chinese are the largest visible ethnic group and Vancouver hosts one of the most diverse Chinese-speaking communities and largest concentrations of Chinese residents in North America 9needless to say I don’t feel too far away from home here in Singapore!). Interestingly, I have spoken to many Chinese-Canadians, who are looking to move away from Vancouver so that they will be able to learn English; the ease of which they can continue with Chinese lifestyle prevents them from learning new Canadian traits as simple as the language.
The high concentrations of low-income households among racially visible populations and Aboriginal peoples typically experience great difficulty in accessing employment. Vancouver faces typical problems of an again population, and its growth is from mainly from immigration The threat of social and economic exclusion is high for these groups, and if issues are not addressed growth and changing demography may further compound these social challenges. There currently exists much debate on how much to open borders to immigration to bring in younger workers and how doing so will effect societies and economies. Immigrants bring wealth and prosperity but also additional strain on social services such as healthcare and Vancouver’s welfare services. Vancouver must either change immigration policies, or address social issues in its city.
To touch on the subject of disease and health, drug issues plague the city of Vancouver, with many health problems stemming from this. Its centre for trade and port, liberal policies, physical location, high levels of immigration, and moderate climate all foster the drug trafficking and consequent drug addicts, homeless, and health problems. Controversial, supervised injection sites along with prevention and treatment centers have been implemented to reduce health concerns such as the endemic HIV and Hepatitis C so prevalent among drug users. To consider socio-economic factors, the area of heavy concentration of these diseases and drug addicts – the downtown east side- is characterized by poverty, mental illness, many immigrants, a large aboriginal population and the sex trade. My opinion is that Vancouver must drive to the root of this problems and deal with crime and trafficking to stop the growth of growing health concerns then deal with treatment. This involves rigid changes in laws to enforce and reduce crime. Zero tolerance to drug crime is necessary to prevent this beautiful city – rated a top place to live in the world – from being destroyed
In order to continue to be a top rated city, Vancouver must –ironically- attend to and address the very social dynamics that make it so wonderful. The liberal ideas, openness, and flow of information, and cultural influences brought about by a moderate coastal city, metropolitan hub of trade, and destination offers as many threats as opportunities.
