Understanding Poverty Among Black Immigrants in Toronto, Canada

This research explored how systemic barriers contribute to poverty among Black immigrants in the Toronto Census Metropolitan Area (CMA). Using a qualitative approach, I explored how factors like race, immigration status, and other identity factors shape Black immigrants' experiences in the employment and housing markets and healthcare system, consequently predisposing them to experience poverty. A key driver of poverty is the non-recognition of foreign credentials, which pushes highly qualified Black immigrants into low-wage jobs, exacerbated by employers' demand for "Canadian experience." This marginalization severely limits their access to higher-paying opportunities, trapping them in cycles of poverty. Housing discrimination also causes poverty, as racial bias from landlords forces Black immigrants into overpriced or substandard housing conditions, worsened by Toronto's housing crisis. Participants generally reported satisfaction with healthcare. To cope, Black immigrants rely on support from religious institutions and social networks through material and non-material resources. The study concludes with policy recommendations to address these systemic barriers, aiming to reduce poverty and improve integration.