Final answer:
To determine if visible minorities and recent immigrants are more or less educated than the general Canadian population is complex due to variable factors. The diversity in the educational background of immigrants includes both highly educated and those without high school diplomas, affecting employment prospects and economic contributions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Statistics have shown that recent immigrants, particularly those arriving with high levels of education and skills, may sometimes possess higher educational qualifications than the general Canadian population. However, this is not universally true for all visible minorities or recent immigrants.
Certain visible minority groups or recent immigrants may face challenges in accessing educational opportunities or in having their foreign credentials recognized in Canada, leading to instances where these groups might, on average, have lower educational attainment than the general Canadian population.
Therefore, the educational status of visible minorities and recent immigrants in comparison to the general Canadian population can vary based on numerous factors including country of origin, access to education, socio-economic status, and individual circumstances. Hence, the most accurate answer in this context is:
3) Cannot be determined.