Transnational Families and
Remittances:
A Study of Haitian and Jamaican Origin
Communities in Canada
Alan Simmons, Dwaine Plaza
& Victor Piché
Preliminary findings!
Do not cite, quote or reproduce without
permission from the authors!
Map of the Presentation:
Map of the Presentation:
1. Background
2. Model of Household Remittance Flows
3. The Data
4. Main Findings
5. Policy Issues and Conclusions
Map of the Presentation:
1. Background
2. Model of Household Remittance Flows
3. The Data
4. Main Findings
5. Policy Issues and Conclusions
Map of the Presentation:
1. Background
2. Model of Household Remittance Flows
3. The Data
4. Main Findings
5. Policy Issues and Conclusions
Map of the Presentation:
1. Background
2. Model of Household Remittance Flows
3. The Data
4. Main Findings
5. Policy Issues and Conclusions
Map of the Presentation:
1. Background
2. Model of Household Remittance Flows
3. The Data
4. Main Findings
5. Policy Issues and Conclusions
Part 1. Background
Part 1. Background



Immigration Trends
Total Remittance Flows
Goals of the Research
Part 1. Background



Immigration Trends
Total Remittance Flows
Goals of the Research
Part 1. Background



Immigration Trends
Total Remittance Flows
Goals of the Research
Chart 1. Immigrant Landings in Canada
8000
Jamaicans
7000
Haitians
6000
Salvadorians
5000
Guatemalans
4000
3000
2000
1000
Mexicans
00
20
98
19
96
19
94
19
92
19
90
19
88
19
86
19
84
19
82
19
19
80
0
Chart 2. Estimated Remittance Receipts
(Figures in millions of U.S.$)
2,500
El Salvador
2,000
Guatemala
1,500
Jamaica
Haiti
1,000
Honduras
500
Guyana
02
20
01
20
00
20
99
19
98
19
97
19
96
19
95
19
94
19
93
19
92
19
91
19
19
90
0
Goals of the Research:
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Goals of the Research:

Gather basic facts:





How much is remitted?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Assess policy implications:


For financial institutions
For development programs
Part 2. The Model
Part 2. The Model
Resources & Motivations
Part 2. The Model
Resources & Motivations
Channels and Barriers
Amounts Remitted
Part 2. The Model
Resources & Motivations
Channels and Barriers
Amounts Remitted
Outcomes for Recipients
Part 2. The Model
Outcomes for Senders
Resources & Motivations
Channels and Barriers
Amounts Remitted
Outcomes for Recipients
Part 3. The Data


Survey design
Questionnaire content
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Survey Design

Criterion sample of individuals:






Born in Haiti (Montreal) and Jamaica (Toronto)
Eighteen years of age or over
Living in Canada for at least one year
Knowledgeable of household expenditures
Both males and females, at all income and
schooling levels
In different parts of each city
Questionnaire
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Questionnaire






Individual level
Household level
Monetary remittances
Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)
Collective-institutional transfers
Measures of transnational links
Part 4. Findings
Part 4. Findings




How much is sent?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Part 4. Findings




How much is sent?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Part 4. Findings




How much is sent?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Part 4. Findings




How much is sent?
To whom?
Through what channels?
With what transfer costs?
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 1. Transfers
Haitians
Percent of respondents sending money 2004
Jamaicans
87.9
87.8
Mean - dollars sent in last transfer
$269.20
$395.00
Median - dollars sent in last transfer
$195.00
$200.00
Upper outlier – dollars sent in last transfer
$1,830.00
$5,000.00
Mean - total household transfer in 2004
$2,255.00
$1,657.84
Median - total household transfers in 2004
$1,407.00
$1,000.00
Upper outlier - total household transfers in 2004
$20,679.00
$19,175.00
Secondary outlier - household transfers in 2004
$13,420.00
$6,000.00
Table 2. Main Recipients (percents)
Haitians
Jamaicans
Parents
27.5
28.1
Multiple family members
18.1
18.8
Siblings
13.4
16.4
Cousins
8.1
2.3
Grandparents
5.4
4.7
Aunts and uncles
4.7
6.3
Children
2.7
8.6
Wife or husband
0.0
0.8
20.1
14.0
100.0
100.0
Others and unstated
Total
Table 2. Main Recipients (percents)
Haitians
Jamaicans
Parents
27.5
28.1
Multiple family members
18.1
18.8
Siblings
13.4
16.4
Cousins
8.1
2.3
Grandparents
5.4
4.7
Aunts and uncles
4.7
6.3
Children
2.7
8.6
Wife or husband
0.0
0.8
20.1
14.0
100.0
100.0
Others and unstated
Total
Table 2. Main Recipients (percents)
Haitians
Jamaicans
Parents
27.5
28.1
Multiple family members
18.1
18.8
Siblings
13.4
16.4
Cousins
8.1
2.3
Grandparents
5.4
4.7
Aunts and uncles
4.7
6.3
Children
2.7
8.6
Wife or husband
0.0
0.8
20.1
14.0
100.0
100.0
Others and unstated
Total
Table 3. Money Transfer Channels
Percent who have ever transferred
money by:
Agencies
Hand transfers
Banks
Other
Canada Post
Credit Unions
Haitians
Jamaicans
85.0
42.9
6.4
5.0
3.6
1.4
83.3
60.9
23.2
4.3
19.6
17.4
Table 3. Money Transfer Channels
Percent who have ever transferred
money by:
Agencies
Hand transfers
Banks
Other
Canada Post
Credit Unions
Haitians
Jamaicans
85.0
42.9
6.4
5.0
3.6
1.4
83.3
60.9
23.2
4.3
19.6
17.4
Table 3. Money Transfer Channels
Percent who have ever transferred
money by:
Agencies
Hand transfers
Banks
Other
Canada Post
Credit Unions
Haitians
Jamaicans
85.0
42.9
6.4
5.0
3.6
1.4
83.3
60.9
23.2
4.3
19.6
17.4
Table 3. Money Transfer Channels
Percent who have ever transferred
money by:
Agencies
Hand transfers
Banks
Other
Canada Post
Credit Unions
Haitians
Jamaicans
85.0
42.9
6.4
5.0
3.6
1.4
83.3
60.9
23.2
4.3
19.6
17.4
Table 3. Money Transfer Channels
Percent who have ever transferred
money by:
Agencies
Hand transfers
Banks
Other
Canada Post
Credit Unions
Haitians
Jamaicans
85.0
42.9
6.4
5.0
3.6
1.4
83.3
60.9
23.2
4.3
19.6
17.4
Table 4. Illustrative Transfer Fees
Approximate agency transfer costs in past
years*
Haitian
Urban
Haitian
Rural
Jamaican
For $100
$10.80
$13.20
$14.00
For $200
$21.60
$26.40
$18.00
For $300
$32.40
$39.60
$20.00
For $$400
$43.20
$52.80
$26.00
Median amount sent in most recent individual
transfer by those sending money
$200
$200
$200
Estimated average percent cost of transfer
10.8
13.2
9.0
Table 4. Illustrative Transfer Fees
Approximate agency transfer costs in past
years*
Haitian
Urban
Haitian
Rural
Jamaican
For $100
$10.80
$13.20
$14.00
For $200
$21.60
$26.40
$18.00
For $300
$32.40
$39.60
$20.00
For $$400
$43.20
$52.80
$26.00
Median amount sent in most recent individual
transfer by those sending money
$200
$200
$200
Estimated average percent cost of transfer
10.8
13.2
9.0
Table 4. Illustrative Transfer Fees
Approximate agency transfer costs in past
years*
Haitian
Urban
Haitian
Rural
Jamaican
For $100
$10.80
$13.20
$14.00
For $200
$21.60
$26.40
$18.00
For $300
$32.40
$39.60
$20.00
For $$400
$43.20
$52.80
$26.00
Median amount sent in most recent individual
transfer by those sending money
$200
$200
$200
Estimated average percent cost of transfer
10.8
13.2
9.0
Part 5. Policy Issues





Who sends remittances?
Are senders more “transnational”?
How much is transferred through
collective/institutionalized projects?
How do “generation” and income levels affect
remittance practices?
Etc.
Table 5. Who sends remittances?
Haitians
Percent of principal senders who are female
Jamaicans
56.1
52.2
Aged 18-29
$249
$100
Aged 30-49
$275
$402
Aged 50 and over
$309
$441
Less than $5,000/year
$643
$539
$5,000 to $19,999
$610
$1,025
$20,000 to $39,999
$971
$1,532
$40,000 to 59,999
$1,539
$1,869
$60, 000 and over
$1,143
$1,544
Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age:
Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income:
Table 5. Who sends remittances?
Haitians
Percent of principal senders who are female
Jamaicans
56.1
52.2
Aged 18-29
$249
$100
Aged 30-49
$275
$402
Aged 50 and over
$309
$441
Less than $5,000/year
$643
$539
$5,000 to $19,999
$610
$1,025
$20,000 to $39,999
$971
$1,532
$40,000 to 59,999
$1,539
$1,869
$60, 000 and over
$1,143
$1,544
Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age:
Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income:
Table 5. Who sends remittances?
Haitians
Percent of principal senders who are female
Jamaicans
56.1
52.2
Aged 18-29
$249
$100
Aged 30-49
$275
$402
Aged 50 and over
$309
$441
Less than $5,000/year
$643
$539
$5,000 to $19,999
$610
$1,025
$20,000 to $39,999
$971
$1,532
$40,000 to 59,999
$1,539
$1,869
$60, 000 and over
$1,143
$1,544
Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age:
Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income:
Table 5. Who sends remittances?
Haitians
Percent of principal senders who are female
Jamaicans
56.1
52.2
Aged 18-29
$249
$100
Aged 30-49
$275
$402
Aged 50 and over
$309
$441
Less than $5,000/year
$643
$539
$5,000 to $19,999
$610
$1,025
$20,000 to $39,999
$971
$1,532
$40,000 to 59,999
$1,539
$1,869
$60, 000 and over
$1,143
$1,544
Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age:
Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income:
Chart 4. Total Household Remittances in 2004
by Household Income Category
2000.0
Jamaicans
1800.0
1600.0
1400.0
Haitians
1200.0
1000.0
800.0
600.0
400.0
200.0
0.0
Less than
5,000
15,00019,999
20,00039,999
40,00050,9999
Household Income
60,000 or
more
Table 6. Transnational Family Contacts
Haitians
Jamaicans
Mean number of visits "home" in last 5 years
.89
1.4
Upper outlier - visits "home" in past 5 years
13.0
20.0
Mean phone calls "home" in past month
13.1
6.8
Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month
60.0
50.0
Table 6. Transnational Family Contacts
Haitians
Jamaicans
Mean number of visits "home" in last 5 years
.89
1.4
Upper outlier - visits "home" in past 5 years
13.0
20.0
Mean phone calls "home" in past month
13.1
6.8
Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month
60.0
50.0
Table 6. Transnational Family Contacts
Haitians
Jamaicans
Mean number of visits "home" in last 5 years
.89
1.4
Upper outlier - visits "home" in past 5 years
13.0
20.0
Mean phone calls "home" in past month
13.1
6.8
Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month
60.0
50.0
Chart 3. Mean Remittances Sent –
Controlling for Telephone Contact
600.0
500.0
Jamaicans
400.0
300.0
Haitians
200.0
100.0
0.0
None
Infrequent*
Moderate**
Telephone calls in past month
High***
Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects”
Haitians
Jamaicans
School improvement project
7.4
13.5
Community project
7.7
16.0
10.7
33.1
Percent who ever contributed to a:
Church improvement project
Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects”
Haitians
Jamaicans
School improvement project
7.4
13.5
Community project
7.7
16.0
10.7
33.1
Percent who ever contributed to a:
Church improvement project
Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects”
Haitians
Jamaicans
School improvement project
7.4
13.5
Community project
7.7
16.0
10.7
33.1
Percent who ever contributed to a:
Church improvement project
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
Preliminary Conclusions






Reduce transfer fees
Expand financial services
Tax exemption for remitters
Promote TN family links
Strengthen TN community links
Be sensitive to gender, age and social class
background of senders
END
Acknowledgements



Canadian International Development Agency
(CIDA), for project financing
Centre for Research on Latin America and the
Caribbean, York University, for institutional
support.
Centre D’Études Ethniques des Universités
Montréalaises (CEETUM) and the
Département de démographie, Université de
Montréal, for support and collaboration.
For further details:



Alan Simmons, CERLAC, York University
asimmons@yorku.ca
Dwaine Plaza, Oregon State U., Corvalis.
dplaza@oregonstate.edu
Victor Piché, U. of Montreal and Action
Canada for Population and Development
victor.piche@umontreal.ca
Respondents’ Characteristics
Haitians
Jamaicans
N = 141
N = 138
Percent male
53.2
54.3
Mean age
33.9
40.1
Percent with university studies
42.9
25.5
Percent departed home country LT age 18
39.0
35.4
Mean years lived in Canada
11.9
20.0
Percent who rent their residence
75.7
61.6
Percent household income LT $20,000/yr
27.1
15.9
Percent household income over $60,000
10.7
26.1
Table 6. Transnational Family Contacts
Haitians
Jamaicans
Mean number of visits "home" in last 5 years
.89
1.4
Upper outlier - visits "home" in past 5 years
13.0
20.0
Mean phone calls "home" in past month
13.1
6.8
Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month
60.0
50.0
Percent likely to “return” to “home” country
62.9
50.0
Percent who feel Canadian
27.1
44.2
Percent who feel Haitian/Jamaican
90.7
83.3
Percent who feel Canada is a racist country
92.2
93.5
END END