Greek Immigration to Canada

By benjams

  • Slow Beginings

    Slow Beginings
    In 1871 39 Greeks were recorded to be living in Canada Image: St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba. c 1890-1910
    Credit: Ridsdale, G.F. / Library and Archives Canada / PA-122667

  • Young Men

    Young Men
    290 Greeks were recorded to be living throughout Canada in 1900. These numbers were mostly made up of young, single men who went on to marry non-Greek women Image: Immigrants, Greek Priests. c 1908-1912
    Credits: John Woodruff / Library and Archives Canada / PA-020913

  • Growing Slowly

    Growing Slowly
    In 1912 the number of Greek people living in Canada had grown to 5,740 Image: Dancers in Greek costume taking part in garden party at 'Benvenuto', Sir William Mackenzie's residence.
    Credit: John Boyd/Library and Archives Canada/PA-168286

  • Tension in Europe

    Tension in Europe
    Hitler and the Nazi Party are slowly rising to power in Europe. This year, 9,450 people identified themselves as Greek in Canada Image: Choir Group of Greeks in traditional apparel, Vancouver, B.C
    Credit: Jack Long/National Film Board of Canada. Photothque/Library and Archives Canada/

  • Political Unstabilty

    Political Unstabilty
    Between 1919 and 1940 Greece witnessed twenty-five changes of government, eight revolts and military coups, and three dictatorships. This resulted in higher immigration waves to Canada Image: Georgios Papandreou, Prime Minister of Greece, speaking to the Ship's Company of H.M.C.S. Prince David
    Credit: Donovan James Thorndick / Canada. Dept. of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada / PA-142900

  • Nazi Occupation

    Nazi Occupation
    Between 1941 and 1945 the Nazis occupied Greece, while Canada was accepting immigrants "with open arms". Image: High-ranking officials of the Nazi and Fascist Parties
    Credit: Library and Archives Canada / PA-114781

  • Continuing Instabilty

    Continuing Instabilty
    From 1945 to 1975, there were no less than thirty changes of government, two military coups, and a brutal civil war (1946%u201349) between Greek Communists and nationalists. Image: Greek soldiers marching through the streets
    Credit: Ruby Gordon Peterkin/Library and Archives Canada/PA-149103

  • Over 100,000

    Over 100,000
    By 1975, due to political instabilty, there were more than 107,000 Greeks in Canada Image: Princess Irene of Greece at Expo 67
    Credit: Library and Archives Canada

  • 1991 Census

    1991 Census
    In 1991, the census recorded 191, 480 people of Greek origin living throughout Canada.

  • Today

    Today
    The most recent Census recorded 242 685 people of Greek origin living in Canada.