Diversity and Cohesion

In all of Canada’s six largest cities, the majority of residents over 12 years of age reported a somewhat or very strong sense of belonging to their local community. When male and female ratings are combined, Ottawa reports a higher sense of belonging than the five other big cities in Canada. In four of these six cities, the proportion of women with a somewhat or very strong sense of belonging is higher than that of men. Research shows a high correlation between sense of community belonging and physical and mental health.

In Ottawa, visible minorities comprised 22% of the population in 2016. This is the smallest proportion among Canada’s six largest metropolitan areas. In Toronto, visible minorities are now over 50% of the population.

Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) accounted for 5% of the total Canadian population in 2016. Although Ontario was the province with the largest number of Indigenous people, they   comprised only 3% of Ottawa’s population. Of Canada’s six largest cities, Edmonton had the highest proportion of Indigenous peoples, at 6%.

High rates of residential mobility can pose a challenge to community cohesion and feelings of belonging.  Among Canada’s six largest cities, the proportion of residents who had moved in the five years between 2011 and 2016 was quite high, ranging from 38% to 46%. For Ottawa the proportion was 39%. In all six cities, moves within the same city accounted for at least half of the moves. In Ottawa, 65% of those who moved remained with the city. Among the six cities, this was the highest proportion of within-city change of residence.

In Ottawa, 4.1% of residents had come from outside the country between 2011 and 2016. This was the lowest proportion among Canada’s six largest cities.

Social isolation has a significant impact on both community and individual health and well-being. Social isolation is a particular concern in the seniors’ population, given the risk of diminishing ability to care adequately for oneself and one’s home.

While living alone does not equate to social isolation, it does suggest an increased risk. The proportion of seniors living alone in Ottawa varies greatly between neighbourhoods. In Woodroffe-Lincoln Heights, for example, seniors living alone account for almost 22% of the total population. A high concentration of seniors can increase the likelihood of social interaction and the ease of providing services. But this is also a neighbourhood with a relatively low walkability score of 46%, increasing the risk that seniors living alone will feel isolated. In contrast, Kinburn seniors comprise only 10% of the population, 17% of whom live alone.  While a high proportion of Lowertown seniors live alone, this is a more walkable neighbourhood. This means higher potential for physical activity, social interaction, and ability to access services.