Albanian Canadian
| Total population |
|---|
| 22,395 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Toronto and Montreal |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
An Albanian Canadian is a Canadian of Albanian origin or an Albanian who hold Canadian citizenship. According to 2006 estimates, there are currently 22,395 ethnic Albanians in Canada.
Contents |
[edit] History
The first Albanians who settled in Canada arrived in the early twentieth century, due to internal uprisings that occurred in their country of origin. However, after World War II (1938 - 1943) came to Canada a few Albanians. Most Albanians who emigrated to this country after the war decided to settle in Montreal or Toronto. There were also some Albanian workers who resided in Calgary and Ontario (e.g. Peterborough). [1] Despite of this migration, by 1986, the Albanians was recorded at just under 1,500. However, in 1991, these figures nearly doubled. The number of Albanians in Canada peaked in the late 1990s as they fled economic and political crisis in both Albania and Yugoslavia. [2]
Later, at the beginning of XXI century, a new war prompted a second wave of immigration of Albanians in Canada. This armed conflict was a clash between Albanian and Serb military and police, which caused that many Albanians feel compelled to leave Kosovo as refugees, many of them emigrating to Canada. Thus, in 1999, the Government of Canada established a residency program to allow 7,000 refugees Kosovar Albanians. [1]
[edit] Demography
According to the 2006 census, there were 22,395 Canadians of ethnic Albanians living in Canada, most of which 11,385 (51%), residing in Toronto. [1] Hamilton, Kitchener, London and Peterborough are areas on the outskirts of Toronto who also have Albanian communities.[2] However the 2nd and 3rd generation Canadians of ethnic Albanians can not specifically name their ethnicity. Therefore, the number of people who descended from Albanians in the country, must be higher than the figure shown. Most socio-cultural activities and festivals representing local communities and family groups. The Albanians are very patriarchal and often live in extended family households. Currently, Albanian Canadians still appreciate their ethnicity, and national history of their country of origin, although their ancestors may have left Albania for centuries. The Albanians of Albania are working on their business and social organizations, often found in the food industry. [1] The Albanians do not come only from Albania and Kosovo, as they come, at least, also from others five different countries: Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro. The Albanian-Canadians belong (as the Albanians) to three religious groups - Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim [2].
[edit] Organizations
Over the years, Albanian Canadians established many organizations in Canada, to maintain their language, traditions and culture. These associations, however, have also helped other immigrants adapt to Canadian life. Many of these partnerships are in Toronto, a major city of Albanian population. In this city, the largest associations are better organized and they are: the Albanian Muslim Society of Toronto (founded in 1954) and the Albanian-Canadian Community Association of Toronto (founded in 1990), http://www.albcan.org. [2]
[edit] See Also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=a1ARTA0000111 The Canadian Encyclopedia. published by Vladislav A. Tomovic. Retrieved on November 29, 2011, 0:36 pm at.
- ^ a b c d http://www.heritagetoronto.org/discover-toronto/community-stories/albanians-toronto The Albanians in Toronto. Retrieved on November 29, 2011, 0:36 pm at. Published by Krystyna Cap.
[edit] External links
- http://www.albcan.org/p?id=19 Albanian-Canadian Community Association - AlbCan.org
