The changing complexion of northern Ontario: census shows more visible minorities in northern cities

The latest numbers from the censustell us that the complexion of northern Ontario is changing and getting some more colour.

Wednesday's release from the 2016 Census also shows a steady increase in the urban Indigenous population in the north's five major cities.

Immigration to the north slowed in the last five years, with most northern cities seeing a shrinking number of immigrants moving in and even the cities that saw increases have miniscule immigration numbers compared with other parts of Canada.

Visible minorities

• Greater Sudbury: 5,990 or 3.7% of the population, up from 4,200 in 2011 and 3,280 in 2006
• Sault Ste. Marie:2,000 or 2.7% of the population, up from 1,215 in 2011 and 940 in 2006
• North Bay:1,630 or 3.2% of the population, up from 1,365 in 2011.
• Timmins:785 or 1.8% of the population, down from 910 in 2011
• Thunder Bay:4,705 or 4% of the population, up from 3,565 in 2011

Recent immigrants

• Greater Sudbury: 1,005 since 2011, up from 665 between 2006 and 2011.
• Sault Ste. Marie:260 since 2011, downfrom 340between 2006 and 2011.
• North Bay:205 since 2011, down from 250between 2006 and 2011.
• Timmins:170 since 2011, up from 90between 2006 and 2011.
• Thunder Bay:645 since 2011, down from 805between 2006 and 2011.

Urban Indigenous population

• Greater Sudbury:14,960 or 9.4%, up from 12,960 in 2011
• Sault Ste. Marie:8,120 or 11%, up from 6,740in 2011
• North Bay:5,415 or 10%, up from 4,185 in 2011
• Timmins:4,715 or 11%, up from 3,375 in 2011
• Thunder Bay: 13,490or 12%, up from 10,085in 2011