Intra-Group Dynamics Among Chinese Immigrants in the Greater Toronto Area: From Service Providers' Perspective

Background and Purpose:

Chinese Canadians have been one of the largest visible minority groups in Toronto, and there have been extensive research on the Chinese immigrants in Canada. However, existing literature usually studied Chinese immigrants as one homogeneous group, while the Chinese population in Canada actually consists of diverse communities from various places of origin, such as Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Over the past decade, the immigration statistics show that a new pattern of Chinese immigration to Canada has emerged - the number of Chinese immigrants from Mainland China has been on the rise, and this shift further diversifies the socio-economic and political characteristics of Canada’s Chinese population, affecting the settlement and adjustment trajectories and outcomes of all Chinese immigrant communities in Canada. This study aims to investigate the new demographic trend’s impact on Chinese immigrants’ settlement experience and intragroup dynamics in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from the perspective of service providers.

Methods:

Three focus groups were conducted with service providers from various service settings (e.g. settlement service, geriatric care, school, etc.) and different places of origin (Mainland China = 7, Hong Kong = 5). Participants, who have frequent and direct interaction with the Chinese immigrant communities in GTA, were recruited from several community-based organizations using purposive sampling. Each focus group lasts for 80 to 110 minutes with open-ended discussion topics regarding the participants’ observations from their service experience on the interactions and dynamics among Chinese immigrants from different places of origin. Participants were arranged in different focus groups according to their language preferences (Mandarin, Cantonese, or English). Thematic analysis was applied to the data. All transcripts were redacted and uploaded into software ATLAS.ti.

Findings:

The average working years of the participants are 5 years, ranging from 0.5–10 years. 75% of them are female. Analysis reveals that in many service settings, Chinese immigrants from different places of origin tend to be separated because of their differences in preferred languages, varying needs and in some cases the non-interactive nature of service programs. Overall findings indicate that facilitating interaction among different Chinese communities has not been the service providers’ main focus, which may avoid conflicts temporarily, but it also obstructs communication, reinforcing stereotypes and hindering the sharing of information and resources across groups.   

Conclusions and Implications:

In the promotion of information sharing, resource access and connection building for Chinese immigrant communities, it is important for service providers to be sensitized about intra-group dynamics among immigrants from different Chinese communities, to acquire skills in facilitating mixed group and/or mixed language activities, and to explore strategies of encouraging intra-group interactions and communication. For future service programs, interactive components can be incorporated to create opportunities for intra-group social interactions. Programs addressing common interests such as parenting workshops and recreational activity groups (e.g. sports clubs) can also effectively encourage communication and support. At the organizational level, organizations that tend to have clients from certain Chinese communities can collaborate with other organizations in hosting events that celebrate diversity and encourage intra-group interactions.