Gender, Immigration and Commuting in Metropolitan Canada

Abstract

Immigrant workers often commute by transit more than other workers. Although immigrants' reliance on transit is often attributed to the same factors as women's reliance on transit: low incomes, limited access to cars, and a tendency to work close to home, gender differences are discussed rarely in analyses of immigrant commuting. Using 2016 Census of Canada microdata, we examine the use of four commute modes: driving, transit, active commuting in the form of walking and biking and being driven to work by immigrant men and women. Multinomial logistic regression indicates how economic, social, housing and metropolitan characteristics influence the use of each commute mode. Immigrant women, especially recent immigrants, are more likely to use alternative modes than immigrant men in all metropolitan areas. The findings underscore the importance of rapid and reliable transit to ensure equitable geographical access to employment for immigrant women, particularly during their first 10 years in Canada.

Labour market integration of newcomers to Canada: The perspectives of newcomers in a smaller urban centre

“…The challenges of transportation infrastructure tend to affect immigrant women the most, as they tend to depend more on public transit infrastructure to access employment. With increased migration to smaller urban centres, immigrant women face even more significant constraints in accessing employment opportunities (Preston et al, 2022). The limited transportation infrastructure in these areas impacts their ability to balance work and family responsibilities, creating an additional barrier to employment.…”

“…In Canada, half a million immigrants live in areas with limited access to public transportation, which may explain why transportation is a significant barrier to employment for the participants (Allen et al, 2021). Smaller cities like Regina have less extensive transit networks compared to larger urban centres (Preston et al, 2022), making transportation challenges even more pronounced. In addition, some individuals may have to walk long distances from their homes to access public transportation, which can be challenging, especially during winter months with sub‐zero temperatures.…”

“…It was surprising, however, to see that as well as the high unemployment rate, the sense of belonging among immigrants who chose to reside in rural areas in Saskatchewan was among the highest in all Western Canada's provinces. While the government of Saskatchewan has been working on programs and strategies to better prepare newcomers to the local labour market, the barriers that newcomers face in rural areas and smaller urban centres differ from those of larger cities, including reduced access to public services, distance from cultural and religious communities and precarious employment (Ashton et al, 2016; Bucklaschuk & Sormova, 2011; Preston et al, 2022).…”

“…They experience a complex array of challenges when using public transportation including high cost, long commuting times and distances and poor service and connections (Allen et al, 2021; Amar & Teelucksingh, 2015; Heisz & Schellenberg, 2004; Preston et al, 2022). Studies indicate that immigrant women are more likely to ride the bus to work than men and, consequently, are negatively impacted in terms of securing desirable employment when there is a poor transit infrastructure (Amar & Teelucksingh, 2015; Preston et al, 2022). Preston et al's (2022) analyses of the 2016 census data affirm that the availability of a broad network of bus systems augmented by rapid transit corresponds to increased usage, particularly for immigrant women.…”

“…Studies indicate that immigrant women are more likely to ride the bus to work than men and, consequently, are negatively impacted in terms of securing desirable employment when there is a poor transit infrastructure (Amar & Teelucksingh, 2015; Preston et al, 2022). Preston et al's (2022) analyses of the 2016 census data affirm that the availability of a broad network of bus systems augmented by rapid transit corresponds to increased usage, particularly for immigrant women. One examination of transit equity in Toronto found that a quarter of recent immigrants experienced buses that arrived late, while night buses serving marginalised populations had the ‘worst service reliability’ (Palm et al, 2020, p. 339).…”