Peel is facing 'economic strain' due to excessive immigration.
By Albert Smith | Fri, 11/28/2008 - 19:07
According to the latest census report, housing and poverty are poised to become even more wearisome issues in Peel due to population growth.
According to the 2006 census data, almost hundred people made Peel their new home everyday between 2001 and 2006 and that most of these people were recent immigrants. Of the hundred people mentioned, thirty settled in Mississauga every day. The statistics show that during the same period, population of Peel increased by 17 percent. The findings were presented by the Peel Data Centre staff to the Peel Region Council yesterday.
During the five-year period, Mississauga grew by 9.1 percent, Brampton grew by 33 percent and Caledon grew by 12.8 percent. Officials say that the data helps illuminate the issue of poverty. Mississauga has the largest number of people who earn low incomes (16 percent), closely followed by Brampton (14 percent), and Caledon with 4 percent. In addition to this, the report revealed that nearly one in every five children below five-years live in low-income households.
Arvin Prasad, Peel Region’s director of planning policy and research said that growth in Peel is fuelled by immigration and most of the immigrants come from South Asia, specifically from the Indian subcontinent countries. He said that though the growth is leading to more diversity and lots of new opportunities, there are challenges as well- especially in the area of housing affordability and issues related to poverty.
Region staff said that high growth in Peel will continue to put street on transit along with various other services and programs.
Ron Jaros, Peel’s manager of research and information, said that census numbers also provide officials with demographic information that will help the region and other agencies to tailor their programs and services to the population.
Jaros said that this information would assist groups such as Success By6, United Way of Peel, social planning council, all of whom need to focus on human services delivery.
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