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Immigrants donate more, volunteer less |
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By Ravi Shah » Immigrants are more generous with their money than native-born Canadians, but less so with their time, a new study has found. The results are something of an eye-opener, considering that volunteering has long been considered one way to make connections and get a foot in a door when job-hunting.
The research, by the Canadian Council on Social Development, however does say the rate of volunteering is increasing, particularly among recent immigrants.
"Despite a variety of barriers, including economic insecurity, many new Canadians are connecting with their communities and making a difference," said Katherine Scott, CCSD vice president of research and co-author of the report.
"Immigrants donated more than 98 million hours of volunteer time... that is equivalent to 50,000 full-time jobs."
The study found the highest rate of volunteering among immigrants in Atlantic Canada (35%), followed by those in the Prairies (34%) and British Columbia (30%). Just over one-quarter of Ontario immigrants (28%) and 24% of immigrants in Québec volunteered their time.
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