The evolution and spatial assimilation of The Tamil Srilankan community in The Toronto CMA, 2006-2020

Abstract

<p>Despite the many studies that have been conducted on Sri Lankan immigrants in Canada, the process of how Sri Lankan Tamils have evolved in terms of social economic development has not been assessed. This study examines Sri Lankan Tamils living in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area across different socioeconomic divisions. A cross-sectional statistical analysis of the Sri Lankan immigrant population proves that the suburbanized population of Sri Lankan Tamils within the Toronto CMA has evolved, carrying a higher and positive socioeconomic status while successfully spatially assimilating versus its co-ethnics living in the City of Toronto. Tamil commercial activity has drastically evolved, lifting this community’s SES from low to high as the majority of businesses are now concentrating in the quaternary sector such as real estate, medicine, law, insurance and accounting.</p>