Evaluation of Selected Components of Standard of Living and Quality of life within a Polish Diaspora: the Example of the Greater Toronto Area

Abstract

The main goal of the article is to describe selected components of standard of living and quality of life within the Polish diaspora of the Greater Toronto Area which includes four districts: Halton, Peel, York and Durham. An author-composed model of mutually affecting objective factors (standard of living) and subjective factors (quality of life) will be presented in the paper. Individual factors (demographic, social, cultural, economic, legal, educational, geographical, and health-related) included in the field research among respondents and based on assigned indices influencing the quality of life in the Polish diaspora of the Greater Toronto Area, will be presented. The evaluation of satisfaction with areas of life selected by the Canadian Polish diaspora will be discussed, as well as their evaluation of standard of living in the Greater Toronto Area, such as Polish schools, parishes, travel agencies, and non-governmental organisations (such as the Song and Dance Ensemble or scouting). Their evaluation of whether their needs were met and accessibility to selected components of the city will also be analysed. Data correlating the length of time respondents have lived in Toronto, and a general evaluation of the quality of life will be presented.