does this sound accurate up to date? what do u think changed or remained the same discuss

The first wave of Latin American immigrants arrived in Canada between 1970 and 1973. (Official figures show that Canada's total Latin American population was less than 3000 before 1970.) The influx of Latin Americans (some 68 000) in the early 1970s can be partly attributed to Canada's "open door" IMMIGRATION POLICY. From 1969 to 1972 it was possible to arrive in Canada as a tourist without a visa and later apply for landed immigrant status from within the country. At the same time, due to a growing demand for labourers willing to perform jobs with low social status (see IMMIGRANT LABOUR), Canada relaxed its immigration requirements. Argentinian immigrants, who before 1970 had arrived at a rate of 200 yearly, numbered 948 in 1973, 1088 in 1974 and 674 in 1975. The vast majority of Chilean political REFUGEES immigrated to Canada by way of Argentina after the overthrow of the Allende regime. From 1963 to 1973, only 2135 persons were recorded as emigrants from Chile; by 1976, 4600 had immigrated to Canada as part of the Special Chilean Movement initiated by the Canadian government. During the early 1970s about 20 000 Ecuadorians in search of a better life immigrated to Canada, primarily to Montréal and Toronto. By the late 1980s several hundred Central Americans had arrived as refugees.



Most Latin Americans settled originally in the downtown areas of Toronto and Montréal. But since industry, and above all light manufacturing requiring semiskilled workers, is located in the suburbs of Toronto and Montréal, the need to live near their work forced many Latin Americans to move to some of the more isolated neighbourhoods. Hundreds of Latin American families have migrated west, mostly to Alberta, in search of work. There are now Latin Americans settled in all provinces and territories.


The service industry, light industry manufacturing and the garment industry are the areas of employment to which Latin Americans gravitate. There is a perceptible shift, over time, from lower skilled jobs obtained upon arrival to positions requiring greater skills. With the growth and stabilization of the Latin American community in the mid-to-late 1980s, a number of its members have entered occupations such as insurance, real estate, restaurants and travel agencies. Also, a growing number of professionals and academics, mostly from Chile and Argentina, have now revalidated their qualifications in Canada and are entering their professional fields of expertise.


The social life of Latin Americans is centered around community activities and family gatherings. Clubs regularly hold dances and sporting events. These mutual-aid clubs serve to maintain group ties and keep cultural heritage alive. Latin American associations include the Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples in Toronto and the Latin Association de Sud Americanos in Montréal.

The community is not divided by class or income (although a small number of professionals and executives see themselves as a separate group) but rather by nationality. Chileans have formed organizations such as the Winnipeg Chilean Association, which has committees for education and culture, finance, women and social welfare. In Toronto and Montréal, the Ecuadorian-Canadian Soccer League holds weekly matches.