Return and onward migrations in Canada, 1976-1981: An explanation based on personal and ecological variables

This paper applies a three-level nested legit model to the micro data oi the 1981 Canadian census to explain the 1976-81 interprovincial migration choices of the non-natives (those whose province of residence was different from province of birth), aged 20 to 44, by personal factors and provincial attributes. Important personal factors include mother tongue, level of education, family type, and age. influential provincial attributes include economic variables (income level, employment growth, and employment), distance, and cultural similarity. The main finding is that not only onward migrants but also return migrants were sensitive to the interprovincial variation in economic opportunities.