The Migration in St. John's
A view of St. Thomas' church, and the bay where many immigrants came through
The Brief History of Migration in St. John's
Since the 1500s, people from south-west England, and South Ireland have migrated to St. John's to fish on the coasts of the land. Since then, the population of St. John's have slowly gained its numbers, largely from immigration .
The first event to increase St. John's population occurred within the 1700s during the establishment of the first fishing industries. After England had finally seized the land as their own, the European merchants had employed many young men work within the fishing vessels for a summer or two (St. John's, 2014). Although the population had increased, the effect was only temporary as the men returned to Ireland after the summers (St. John's, 2014). However, as the Irish women traveled to St. John's in hopes of marrying the working Irish men, the increase in the Irish population in St. John's had increased, and through time, the temporary migrations of Irish workers evolved into permanent settlements (St. John's, 2014).
The second event occurred between the years, 1703 to 1815 during the Napoleonic Wars. Also known as the continuation of the Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars has also caused a huge population boost for St. John's. Many residents from the European countries fled to St. John's. As refugees, the words of opening fishing industries were convincing as open jobs, and better economical environment meant they could obtain a fresh start with advantageous factors.Thus, due to the Napoleonic wars, the population of St. John's increased by 6,400 people (St. John's, 2014).
However, it is important to take note of the historic event that has dramatically decreased the provincial population in the 1990s. The government had noticed a dramatic decrease in the cod population, signifying the near-extinction of the cod species (Canada History, 2013). Thus the government had issued a moratorium on the fishing industries. Although the cod population had been granted safety, the jobs of those who worked in the fishing industries were lost (Canada History, 2013). And so, over time, the citizens of St. John's had migrated out of the province and moved into near-by provinces where jobs were available (Canada History, 2013).
Inter-provincial Migration
The inter-provincial migrations in St. John's, Newfoundland has been kept somewhat consistent. However, St. John's net inter-provincial migration rates are currently being affected by other
The inter-provincial migrations in St. John's, Newfoundland has been kept somewhat consistent. However, St. John's net inter-provincial migration rates are currently being affected by other
In the year 1971, the net inter-provincial immigration was 12,391 people while the emigration totaled up to 11,527 people . However, by the year 2000, the inter-provincial immigration dropped down to 7,499 whilst the emigration remained constant at 11,992 (Statcan, 2015). Through this data, we can clearly recognise the decrease in inter-provincial immigration, whilst the emigration remained constant (Statcan, 2015) . This means less people are moving into St. John's from other Canadian Provinces, and there is a reason why. People don't see a clear, defying reason to immigrate to St. John's. Although the fishing industries were big back in the 1700s, people see more opportunities in neighbouring provinces. For example, the oil sands in Alberta (Statcan, 2015) .
The Ethnic Composition of St. John's
The language Ethnicity of St, John's
LANGUAGE Mother tongue Language spoken most at home
number % number %
Total 194,940 100% 194, 935 100%
English 188,965 96.9% 191,490 98.2%
French 810 0.4% 350 0.2%
Non-official language 4,520 2.3% 2,265 1.2%
Multiple responses 635 0.3% 830 0.4%
The language Ethnicity of St, John's
LANGUAGE Mother tongue Language spoken most at home
number % number %
Total 194,940 100% 194, 935 100%
English 188,965 96.9% 191,490 98.2%
French 810 0.4% 350 0.2%
Non-official language 4,520 2.3% 2,265 1.2%
Multiple responses 635 0.3% 830 0.4%
To begin, the language ethnicity of St. John's is not very diverse with 96.9% composed up of English-speaking citizens (Arts, 2014). This is to be expected as both the first settlers; the Europeans and the Irish spoke English. One may also realize that the most spoken language at home is also English (Arts, 2014) . Naturally, with most of the people in St. John's were taught English as their mother tongue, more people are to speak English at their homes.
However, according to the data, there are more people speaking English in their homes than the people who's mother tongues are English. This is because people who were born with non-English mother tongues have married others with English as their mother tongues (Arts, 2014) . Thus, families tend to speak English as their means of verbal communications. Also, it will be good for the families to practice English with ones they are comfortable with to enhance their communications with others.
On the other hand, although the language isn't the most diverse ethnicity of St. John's you may be surprised by the number of diverse religions found in St. John's.
However, according to the data, there are more people speaking English in their homes than the people who's mother tongues are English. This is because people who were born with non-English mother tongues have married others with English as their mother tongues (Arts, 2014) . Thus, families tend to speak English as their means of verbal communications. Also, it will be good for the families to practice English with ones they are comfortable with to enhance their communications with others.
On the other hand, although the language isn't the most diverse ethnicity of St. John's you may be surprised by the number of diverse religions found in St. John's.
The Religion Ethnicity of St. John's
Here, we can see 12 different types of religions that makes up St. John's. Through its long history of various immigrants and emigrants, such diversity in religion can be expected (Arts, 2014) . One of the key facts we can extract from this data is that 48.9% of St. John's populations are Catholic (Arts, 2014) . This means we can expect to find more Catholic churches than temples, worship grounds, or even shrines. We can also take note that 0.03% of the population are Sikh. Sikh is an unpopular religion originated from the Middle East, and worships God.
Future Predictions
One may find it almost impossible to determine the future immigration in St. John's due to the unpredictable future that may change drastically within a short time. However, with extensive reserch you can count on our knowledge to predict the most-likely outcome! After many data analysis, we have discovered a steady decrease in emigration, and an increase in immigrants. Although more immigrants may mean an increase in St. John's popularity, we have news for you.
With the current rate of the technological advancements, successes in the oil sands and mining, people are now open to alternative places to move for substantial settlement. This may bring up questions amongst immigrants such as; "Why should I go to St. John's, when I can work in ___?". In the future, people seeking immigration may decide to move into other provinces with industries that better fits their skills and needs. It is also important to remember that not all the people living in St. John's are satisfied with their lifestyles and as the population hears news of better opportunities and living states, people will be convinced to start moving out. Thus, a decrease in the immigration and increase in emigration rates should be expected.
However, as people move out of St. John's and the number of workers decrease, the employers in St. John's may offer higher salaries or better benefits to attract those back into St. John's. As a result, new, advantageous offers may attract people into St. John's, and an natural increase in population will follow.
One may find it almost impossible to determine the future immigration in St. John's due to the unpredictable future that may change drastically within a short time. However, with extensive reserch you can count on our knowledge to predict the most-likely outcome! After many data analysis, we have discovered a steady decrease in emigration, and an increase in immigrants. Although more immigrants may mean an increase in St. John's popularity, we have news for you.
With the current rate of the technological advancements, successes in the oil sands and mining, people are now open to alternative places to move for substantial settlement. This may bring up questions amongst immigrants such as; "Why should I go to St. John's, when I can work in ___?". In the future, people seeking immigration may decide to move into other provinces with industries that better fits their skills and needs. It is also important to remember that not all the people living in St. John's are satisfied with their lifestyles and as the population hears news of better opportunities and living states, people will be convinced to start moving out. Thus, a decrease in the immigration and increase in emigration rates should be expected.
However, as people move out of St. John's and the number of workers decrease, the employers in St. John's may offer higher salaries or better benefits to attract those back into St. John's. As a result, new, advantageous offers may attract people into St. John's, and an natural increase in population will follow.