1. Transnational Families and Remittances: A Study of Haitian and Jamaican Origin Communities in Canada Alan Simmons, Dwaine Plaza & Victor Piché

2. Preliminary findings! Do not cite, quote or reproduce without permission from the authors!

3. Map of the Presentation:

4. 1. Background 2. Model of Household Remittance Flows 3. The Data 4. Main Findings 5. Policy Issues and Conclusions

5. Map of the Presentation: 1. Background 2. Model of Household Remittance Flows 3. The Data 4. Main Findings 5. Policy Issues and Conclusions

6. Map of the Presentation: 1. Background 2. Model of Household Remittance Flows 3. The Data 4. Main Findings 5. Policy Issues and Conclusions

7. Map of the Presentation: 1. Background 2. Model of Household Remittance Flows 3. The Data 4. Main Findings 5. Policy Issues and Conclusions

8. Map of the Presentation: 1. Background 2. Model of Household Remittance Flows 3. The Data 4. Main Findings 5. Policy Issues and Conclusions

9. Part 1. Background

10.  Immigration Trends  Total Remittance Flows  Goals of the Research

11. Part 1. Background  Immigration Trends  Total Remittance Flows  Goals of the Research

12. Part 1. Background  Immigration Trends  Total Remittance Flows  Goals of the Research

13. Jamaicans Haitians Salvadorians Guatemalans Mexicans

14. El Salvador Guatemala Jamaica Haiti Honduras Guyana

15. Goals of the Research:

16.  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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Part 2. The Model

25. Resources & Motivations

26. Part 2. The Model Resources & Motivations Channels and Barriers Amounts Remitted

27. Part 2. The Model Resources & Motivations Channels and Barriers Amounts Remitted Outcomes for Recipients

28. Part 2. The Model Resources & Motivations Channels and Barriers Amounts Remitted Outcomes for Recipients Outcomes for Senders

29. Part 3. The Data  Survey design  Questionnaire content

30. Survey Design  Criterion sample of individuals:

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. Questionnaire

38.  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

39. Questionnaire  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

40. Questionnaire  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

41. Questionnaire  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

42. Questionnaire  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

43. Questionnaire  Individual level  Household level  Monetary remittances  Goods (via “barrel”, etc.)  Collective-institutional transfers  Measures of transnational links

44. Part 4. Findings

45.  How much is sent?  To whom?  Through what channels?  With what transfer costs?

46. Part 4. Findings  How much is sent?  To whom?  Through what channels?  With what transfer costs?

47. Part 4. Findings  How much is sent?  To whom?  Through what channels?  With what transfer costs?

48. Part 4. Findings  How much is sent?  To whom?  Through what channels?  With what transfer costs?

49. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

50. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

51. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

52. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

53. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

54. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

55. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

56. Table 1. Transfers Haitians Jamaicans Percent of respondents sending money 200487.9 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

57. Table 2. Main Recipients (percents) Haitians Jamaicans Parents27.5 28.1 Multiple family members18.1 18.8 Siblings13.4 16.4 Cousins8.1 2.3 Grandparents5.4 4.7 Aunts and uncles4.7 6.3 Children2.7 8.6 Wife or husband0.0 0.8 Others and unstated20.1 14.0 Total100.0

58. Table 2. Main Recipients (percents) Haitians Jamaicans Parents27.5 28.1 Multiple family members18.1 18.8 Siblings13.4 16.4 Cousins8.1 2.3 Grandparents5.4 4.7 Aunts and uncles4.7 6.3 Children2.7 8.6 Wife or husband0.0 0.8 Others and unstated20.1 14.0 Total100.0

59. Table 2. Main Recipients (percents) Haitians Jamaicans Parents27.5 28.1 Multiple family members18.1 18.8 Siblings13.4 16.4 Cousins8.1 2.3 Grandparents5.4 4.7 Aunts and uncles4.7 6.3 Children2.7 8.6 Wife or husband0.0 0.8 Others and unstated20.1 14.0 Total100.0

60. Table 3. Money Transfer Channels Haitians Jamaicans Percent who have ever transferred money by: Agencies85.0 83.3 Hand transfers42.9 60.9 Banks6.4 23.2 Other5.0 4.3 Canada Post3.6 19.6 Credit Unions1.4 17.4

61. Table 3. Money Transfer Channels Haitians Jamaicans Percent who have ever transferred money by: Agencies85.0 83.3 Hand transfers42.9 60.9 Banks6.4 23.2 Other5.0 4.3 Canada Post3.6 19.6 Credit Unions1.4 17.4

62. Table 3. Money Transfer Channels Haitians Jamaicans Percent who have ever transferred money by: Agencies85.0 83.3 Hand transfers42.9 60.9 Banks6.4 23.2 Other5.0 4.3 Canada Post3.6 19.6 Credit Unions1.4 17.4

63. Table 3. Money Transfer Channels Haitians Jamaicans Percent who have ever transferred money by: Agencies85.0 83.3 Hand transfers42.9 60.9 Banks6.4 23.2 Other5.0 4.3 Canada Post3.6 19.6 Credit Unions1.4 17.4

64. Table 3. Money Transfer Channels Haitians Jamaicans Percent who have ever transferred money by: Agencies85.0 83.3 Hand transfers42.9 60.9 Banks6.4 23.2 Other5.0 4.3 Canada Post3.6 19.6 Credit Unions1.4 17.4

65. 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 Estimated average percent cost of transfer 10.813.29.0

66. 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 Estimated average percent cost of transfer 10.813.29.0

67. 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 Estimated average percent cost of transfer 10.813.29.0

68. 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.

69. Table 5. Who sends remittances? HaitiansJamaicans Percent of principal senders who are female 56.152.2 Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age: Aged 18-29$249$100 Aged 30-49$275$402 Aged 50 and over$309$441 Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income: 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

70. Table 5. Who sends remittances? HaitiansJamaicans Percent of principal senders who are female 56.152.2 Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age: Aged 18-29$249$100 Aged 30-49$275$402 Aged 50 and over$309$441 Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income: 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

71. Table 5. Who sends remittances? HaitiansJamaicans Percent of principal senders who are female 56.152.2 Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age: Aged 18-29$249$100 Aged 30-49$275$402 Aged 50 and over$309$441 Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income: 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

72. Table 5. Who sends remittances? HaitiansJamaicans Percent of principal senders who are female 56.152.2 Mean remittance sent last time by respondent's age: Aged 18-29$249$100 Aged 30-49$275$402 Aged 50 and over$309$441 Mean total sent by household in 2004 by income: 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

73. Chart 4. Total Household Remittances in 2004 by Household Income Category Jamaicans Haitians Household Income

74. 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 years13.0 20.0 Mean phone calls "home" in past month13.1 6.8 Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month60.0 50.0

75. 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 years13.0 20.0 Mean phone calls "home" in past month13.1 6.8 Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month60.0 50.0

76. 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 years13.0 20.0 Mean phone calls "home" in past month13.1 6.8 Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month60.0 50.0

77. Chart 3. Mean Remittances Sent – Controlling for Telephone Contact Ja maicans Haitians

78. Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects” Percent who ever contributed to a: HaitiansJamaicans School improvement project7.413.5 Community project 7.7 16.0 Church improvement project 10.7 33.1

79. Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects” Percent who ever contributed to a: HaitiansJamaicans School improvement project7.413.5 Community project 7.7 16.0 Church improvement project 10.7 33.1

80. Table 7. Involvement in Transnational “Projects” Percent who ever contributed to a: HaitiansJamaicans School improvement project7.413.5 Community project 7.7 16.0 Church improvement project 10.7 33.1

81. 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

82. 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

83. 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

84. 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

85. 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

86. 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

87. 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

88. END

89. 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.

90. For further details:  Alan Simmons, CERLAC, York University asimmons@yorku.ca  Dwaine Plaza, Oregon State U., Corvalis. dplaza@oregonstate.edu dplaza@oregonstate.edu  Victor Piché, U. of Montreal and Action Canada for Population and Development victor.piche@umontreal.ca victor.piche@umontreal.ca

91. Respondents’ Characteristics Haitians Jamaicans N = 141 N = 138 Percent male53.2 54.3 Mean age33.9 40.1 Percent with university studies42.9 25.5 Percent departed home country LT age 1839.0 35.4 Mean years lived in Canada11.9 20.0 Percent who rent their residence75.7 61.6 Percent household income LT $20,000/yr27.1 15.9 Percent household income over $60,00010.7 26.1

92. 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 years13.0 20.0 Mean phone calls "home" in past month13.1 6.8 Upper outlier - phone calls "home" in past month60.0 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

93. END