Eritrean Canadians
Total population
36,290
Regions with significant populations
Toronto · Calgary · Edmonton · Winnipeg · Ottawa
Languages
Tigrinya · Tigre · Arabic · Saho · Bilen · Canadian English · Canadian French
Religion
Eritrean Orthodox · Eritrean Catholic · Sunni Islam
Related ethnic groups
Eritreans, Ethiopians, Eritrean Canadians, Ethiopian Canadians, Eritrean Americans, Ethiopian Americans

Eritrean Canadians are a hyphenated ethnicity of Canadians who are of full or partial Eritrean national origin, heritage and/or ancestry, Canadian citizens of Eritrean descent, or an Eritrea-born person who resides in Canada. According to the 2021 Canadian census, 36,290 Canadians reported Eritrean ancestry.[1]

History

Eritreans began to arrive in Canada as refugees from the Eritrean War of Independence in the late 1970s.[2] After Eritrea gained independence in 1991, Eritreans continued to flee from human rights violations committed by the Eritrean government.[3]

Demographics

According to the 2011 Canadian Census, approximately 13,430 people reported Eritrean ancestry.[4] This number increased to 25,255 by 2016 and further increased to 36,290 in 2021. However, accurate numbers of Eritrean refugees are difficult to estimate because many Eritreans who fled before Eritrea's independence had identified as or were considered Ethiopian.[2]

Geographic distribution

The following table lists Canadian provinces by their Eritrean population.

Rank State Population (2021)[1]
1  Ontario 17,165
2  Alberta 11,010
3  Manitoba 3,345
4  British Columbia 2,245
5  Saskatchewan 1,235
6  Quebec 800
7  Newfoundland and Labrador 180
8  Nova Scotia 135
9  New Brunswick 115
10  Northwest Territories 45
11  Nunavut 10
12*  Prince Edward Island 0
12*  Yukon 0

Toronto

The largest group of Eritreans in Canada are located in Toronto. As of 2021, approximately 9,380 people of Eritrean descent live in the Toronto CMA.[5] The Eritrean Canadian Community Centre and Eritrean Canadian Association of Ontario are located in Toronto.[6][7]

Calgary

The second largest group of Eritreans in Canada are located in Calgary. As of 2021, approximately 5,395 people of Eritrean descent live in the Calgary CMA.[8] The Eritrean Canadian Community Association of Calgary was founded in 1983.[9]

Edmonton

As of 2021, approximately 4,605 people of Eritrean descent live in the Edmonton CMA.[10]

Winnipeg

As of 2021, approximately 3,070 people of Eritrean descent live in the Winnipeg CMA.[11]

Ottawa-Gatineau (National Capital Region)

As of 2021, approximately 2,095 people of Eritrean descent live in Ottawa, Ontario and 2,135 live in Ottawa-Gatineau.[12]

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Berhane, Aaron; Tyyskä, Vappu (3 November 2017). "Coercive Transnational Governance and Its Impact on the Settlement Process of Eritrean Refugees in Canada". Refuge. 3 (2): 78–87. doi:10.7202/1043065ar. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Report of the detailed findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea" (PDF). Human Rights Council. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  4. ^ "2011 National Household Survey: Data tables". Statistics Canada. 8 May 2013. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Eritrean Canadian Community Centre". www.eccctoronto.ca. Eritrean Canadian Community Centre. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  7. ^ "ERITREAN CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO (ECAO)" (PDF). Eritrean Canadian Association of Ontario. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
  8. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Eritrean Canadian Community Association of Calgary: ECCAC". www.calgaryeritreans.org. Eritrean Canadian Community Association of Calgary. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  10. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2023.


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