Wei Jia Huang

This study explores the is the estimated population size, population characteristics, and spatial distribution of non-status immigrants within the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) . Non-status immigrants fall into a grey area in term of immigration status as they are individuals who have no authorization to reside or work in Canada. However, most non-status immigrants came to Canada legally through travel visas or as refugees. Existing estimates of non-status immigrants are both wide ranging (i.e., estimates of between 50,000 and 250,000 in the GTA) and are non-spatial. Using a residual method for estimating unaccounted for people in the 2021 Canadian census, this research creates census tract level population estimates. By identifying the spatial distribution of non-status immigrant, there is potential for practical improvements to the levels and effectiveness of support services made available to a marginalized population. An estimate range of between approximately 59,000 to 102,000. This estimate and spatial distribution analysis will help municipalities and organizations in the Toronto CMA identify areas with higher population of non-status immigrants, allowing for more effective outreach and service provisions.
Keywords: Non-Status; Immigration; Population Estimate; Spatial Analysis; Toronto, Canada