Facts & Stats

Key facts and stats on immigrant networks since PINs website launch (February 2012):

Number of networks on the PINs website: 40

  • Networks typically organize by ethno-cultural group or profession or both

  • A third of the networks serve multiple ethno-cultural groups

  • Over 50% of the networks are organized by ethno-cultural group

  • Latin American networks are the most represented (30%) among the ethno-cultural groups

  • 30% of networks reported that over half of their members are newcomers (arrived in Canada within the last three years)

  • Over 50% of networks have 100-500 members and over 20% have 1000-3000 members

  • Over 60% of networks do not charge membership fees

  • Close to 50% of the networks are incorporated

  • Over 80% of networks were established in the last 10 years and 40% in the last 5 years

  • The top three professions represented among the networks are: Engineering, Business and IT

Through in-person and online consultations with network leaders in 2011, TRIEC found that:

  • Network leaders have skills to share in a number of areas such as: member engagement, strategic planning, partnership development, web and database development, marketing and outreach, legal support and financial management.

  • 57% of networks have partnered with one or more stakeholder groups.

  • 70% of network leaders want to develop their leadership skills; however 80% of leaders have not participated in leadership development activities.

  • 85% of network leaders would like to participate in consultations on immigrant employment to inform programs and policies; but 90% of leaders have never participated in any such consultations.

From an environmental scan conducted by TRIEC in 2009, a snapshot of networks in the Greater Toronto Area:

  • 70+ professional immigrant networks operating in the Greater Toronto Area

  • 30,000+ immigrants connected to these networks

  • Groups cover a range of professions such as: engineering, architecture, accounting, IT, law, healthcare and business management

  • Networks in the legal and IT sectors are the most recent start-ups

  • The number of Latin American networks has increased in the last five years

  • 16,000+ immigrants connected to engineering networks

  • 10,000+ immigrants connected to business management networks - marketing, sales, and finance

  • Nearly 50% of networks are incorporated, non-profit organizations

  • Over 75% of networks organize by profession or ethnicity