Find your cultural community within Canada

Finding people with the same social and cultural background as you can be an important factor in settling into a new country.

Due to Canada’s multiculturalism and emphasis on diversity, it is likely that newcomers will find members of their own community.

Below is a profile of Canada’s most populous municipalities, including prominent ethnic groups, place of birth, immigrant status, breakdown of official languages spoken, and knowledge of languages. The data was taken from the Canadian National Census 2021 and selected from the largest cities in each province.

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Definitions

For ethnic origins, this article uses Statistics Canada’s “list of ethnic or cultural origins 2021”Find out more about (with detailed definitions) Here is a link to the article.

This article refers to the following:

• “Immigrants”Who are newcomers who have been granted permanent residency (PR) status and/or who have become Canadian citizens?
• “Non-immigrants”The term Canadian citizen by birth is used to describe people who are Canadian citizens.
• “Non-permanent residents”Who are foreign nationals that have been granted a temporary residence permit in Canada, usually for a work or study permit.

Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s biggest city and metropolitan center in Canada and within the province of Ontario. Toronto had over 2.7million residents as of 2021.

Immigrant Status

Toronto’s population consists of:

• Non-immigrants: 1.39 million (48.2%);
• 1.28 million immigrants (46%);
• 145 240 non-permanent Residents (5.35%).

Languages are important for learning.

Toronto’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (2.6 Million speakers);
• French (238.505 speakers);
• Mandarin (162,950 speakers);
• Spanish (138.770 speakers);
• Tagalog (135,600 speakers);
• Yue (Cantonese) (134,810 speakers);
• Hindi (107,170 speakers);
• Italian (84,335 speakers);
• Portuguese (80,170 native speakers);
• Tamil (77,785 native speakers)

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Toronto spoke:

• Only English (2.4 million speakers);
• – 236 915 speakers
• French only (2,555 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Toronto’s population:

• The ethnic origin of 1.13 million people was European.
• The ethnic Asian population was 1.13 million.
• 248,260 people are of North American ethnic origin.
• 212,030 people were “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 172 560 people were of African ethnic origin.

Montréal

Montréal is Canada’s second-biggest city by population and the largest city within the province of Quebec. It is the largest francophone city of North America. As of the 2021 census, Montréal was home to 1.76 million residents.

Immigrant Status

Montréal’s population consists of:

• Non-immigrants: 1.01 million (59%)
• 576,120 immigrants (33.4%);
• 129,780 residents are not permanent (7.5%).

Languages are important for learning.

Montréal’s population spoke the following languages:

• French (1.47 Million speakers);
• English (1.21 millions speakers);
• Spanish (177,230 native speakers);
• Arabic (173,385 speakers);
• Italian (95,535 speakers);
• Haitian Creole (66,445 speakers);
• Mandarin (41,405 speakers);
• Portuguese (28 835 speakers);
• Vietnamese (24.550 native speakers)

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Montréal spoke:

• 1 010 000 linguists
• French only (473.490 speakers);
• English only (207 690 speakers);
• The majority of speakers are not French or English.

Ethnic or cultural breakdown

Of Montréal’s population:

• 684 765 people were of European ethnic origin
• 419,860 of the people in North America were ethnic North Americans.
• 307 525 people were of Asian ethnicity;
• 230,025 of the people in the United States were of African descent;
• 136,480 individuals were of “other ethnic and cultural” origin.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city of the province. Alberta, and one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities. Calgary was ranked as the fastest-growing city in Canada by 2022. Canada’s most livable cityCalgary is tied with Zurich in Switzerland for third place as the most livable city. Calgary is expected to have 1.3 millions residents by 2021.

Immigrant Status

Calgary’s population is composed of:

• 834,100 non-immigrants (64.6%);
• 430,640 immigrants (33.3%);
• 27.030 non permanent residents (2.1%).

Languages:

Calgary’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (1.25 Million speakers);
• French (86,135 native speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (66,720 speakers);
• Punjabi (61,025 speakers);
• Spanish (54,235 native speakers);
• Mandarin (45,330 speakers);
• Hindi (42,160 speakers);
• Yue (Cantonese) (42,090 speakers);
• Arabic (33 325 speakers);
• Urdu (29,980 speakers).

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Calgary spoke:

• English only (1.17 Million speakers);
• (85 360 speakers);
• French only (825 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Calgary’s population:

• 665 085 people were of ethnic European descent;
• 403,980 people are of Asian ethnicity.
• 207,060 people are of North American ethnicity.
• 78.555 people were of “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 74,410 of the people in the United States were of African descent.

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is the biggest city—the capital—of the province of Manitoba. The city is a newly growing metropolitan area in Canada’s prairie region. Winnipeg will have 749,607 people as of 2021.

Immigrant Status

Winnipeg’s population consists of:

• 505,525 non-immigrants (68.6%);
• 201,045 immigrants (27%);
• 30 095 non-permanent residents (4,1%)

Languages:

Winnipeg’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (723,085 speakers);
• French (72,665 native speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (64,325 speakers);
• Punjabi (39,215 speakers);
• Spanish (15,660 Spanish speakers);
• Mandarin (15,160 speakers);
• German (12,425 Speakers);
• Arabic (9,335 speakers);
• Russian (8.645 speakers);
• Ukranian (8,620 speakers).

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Winnipeg spoke:

• English only (656 965 speakers);
• 71 700 speakers;
• French only (1,225 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Winnipeg’s population:

• 401 865 people were of ethnic European descent;
• 193,135 people are of Asian ethnicity;
• 156 025 people were of North American ethnicity.
• 54 455 people are of the age group. “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 37,290 people are of African ethnic origin.

Vancouver

Vancouver is a province. British Columbia’s biggest city, and (along with Toronto and Montreal) one of Canada’s three biggest metropolitan areas. Vancouver had 662,248 inhabitants as of the census of 2021.

Immigrant Status

Vancouver’s population consists of:

• 333,190 non-immigrants (51.2%);
• 274,360 immigrants (42.2%)
• 42 830 non-permanent Residents (6.6%).

Languages:

Toronto’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (612,215 speakers);
• Yue (Cantonese) (96,960 speakers);
• Mandarin (74,960 speakers);
• French (60.990 speakers);
• Spanish (36 500 speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (30,430 speakers);
• Punjabi (19,130 speakers);
• Hindi (15,025 speakers);
• Vietnamese (14.905 speakers);
• Japanese (12,075 native speakers)

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Toronto spoke:

• English only (555,235 Speakers);
• 61 055 participants;
• French only (345 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Vancouver’s population:

• 324 955 people were of Asian ethnicity;
• 283,675 people are of ethnic European origin.
• 63,690 of the people were from ethnic North American origin.
• 36,390 people lived in the United States. “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 25055 people are of Latin, Central and South American ethnic origin.

Halifax

Halifax is the provincial capital and largest city in the province. Nova Scotia. The port city, one of the oldest in Canada, is a rapidly growing metropolitan area in Atlantic Canada. In 2021 the city will have 439.819 residents.

Immigrant Status

Halifax’s population consists of:

• 367,730 non-immigrants (84.5%);
• 50 590 immigrants (11.6%);
• 16,970 Non-permanent Residents (3.9%).

Language proficiency is essential for a wide range of careers.

Halifax’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (432,240 speakers);
• French (53,690 native speakers);
• Arabic (10,560 speakers);
• Hindi (7,965 speakers);
• Mandarin (7,410 speakers);
• Spanish (5,970 Spanish speakers);
• Punjabi (4,965 speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (3,835 speakers);
• German (2,995 native speakers);
• Korean (2,365 speakers);

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Halifax spoke:

• English only (380 210 speakers);
• 53 460 speakers;
• French only (295 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Halifax’s population:

• 283,895 people are of ethnic European descent;
• 121 260 people were of North American ethnicity.
• 49.855 people are of ethnic Asian origin
• 36,875 people are of the age group. “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 13355 people were of African descent.

Saskatoon

Saskatoon, the largest city of Saskatchewan, is located in the province. Saskatchewan. Regina, the province’s (slightly smaller counterpart), is often cited as a notable feature of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon’s population in 2021 was 266,141.

Immigrant Status

Saskatoon’s population consists of:

• 202,400 non-immigrants (77.6%);
• 53,210 immigrants (20.4%);
• 5,340 non permanent residents (2%).

Languages are important for learning.

Saskatoon’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (257,180 speakers);
• French (16,990 speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (12,050 speakers);
• Mandarin (6,295 speakers);
• Urdu (5,800 speakers);
• Hindi (5,520 speakers);
• Punjabi (5,220 speakers);
• Spanish (4,555 speakers);
• Arabic (3 820 speakers);
• Ukranian (3,415 speakers).

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Saskatoon spoke:

• English only (only 241,760 speakers);
• 17 005 participants;
• French only (110 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Saskatoon’s population:

• 165 925 people were of European ethnic origin.
• 55,855 people are of North American ethnic origin.
• 50,630 of the people were Asian in origin.
• 12,245 people are of the age group. “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 8,645 individuals were of African descent.

St. John’s

St. John’s is the largest city in the province of Newfoundland and LabradorOne of the biggest cities in Atlantic Canada. As of 2021, St. John’s was home to 110,525 residents.

Immigrant Status

St. John’s population consists of:

• 96,025 non-immigrants (89.2%);
• 7,510 immigrants (7%)
• 4.125 non-permanent resident (3.8%).

Languages:

St. John’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (107,060 speakers);
• French (9,940 Speakers);
• Arabic (1,745 speakers);
• Spanish (1,235 Spanish speakers);
• Hindi (1,070 speakers);
• Mandarin (905 speakers);
• Bengali (770 speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (635 speakers);
• Punjabi (590 speakers);
• German (575 speakers)

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Saskatoon spoke:

• English only (97 575 speakers);
• 9 910 speakers;
• French only (50 speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of St. John’s population:

• 70 105 people were of European ethnic origin.
• 31 090 people were of North American ethnicity.
• 7,460 people are of Asian ethnicity.
• 7,140 people are of the age group. “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 2,900 people are of African ethnic origin.

Moncton

Moncton is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, Canada’s only officially bilingual province. New BrunswickMoncton is not the only city of comparable size. Fredericton, the provincial capital, and Saint John are also included. Moncton had 79.470 residents in 2021.

Immigrant Status

Moncton’s population consists of:

• 65,225 non-immigrants (84.3%);
• 8,460 immigrants (10.9%);
• 3,690 non permanent residents (4.8%).

Language proficiency is essential for a wide range of careers.

Moncton’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (74,865 speakers);
• French (35,940 native speakers);
• Arabic (1,390 speakers);
• Spanish (1,370 speakers);
• Hindi (1,190 speakers);
• Punjabi (840 speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (815 speakers);
• Mandarin (605 speakers);
• Korean (565 speakers);
• Portuguese (390 native speakers);

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Moncton spoke:

• English only (41,630 Speakers);
• 34 135 orators;
• French only (2,010 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Moncton’s population:

• 41 545 people were of European ethnicity;
• 31455 people are of North American ethnicity.
• 6,165 people were “other ethnic and cultural” origin;
• 6,080 people are of Asian ethnicity.
• 4,115 people were of African descent.

Charlottetown

Charlottetown is the capital city and largest city in the province. Prince Edward Island (PEI). The city is in the middle of PEI and accounts for over half of the province’s population. Charlottetown is expected to have 38,809 inhabitants in 2021.

Immigrant Status

Charlottetown’s population consists of:

• 29,090 non-immigrants (77.4%);
• 5 250 immigrants (14.0%)
• 3,260 non permanent residents (8.7%).

Languages:

Charlottetown’s population spoke the following languages:

• English (37,080 speakers);
• French (4,970 native speakers);
• Mandarin (1,750 speakers);
• Hindi (1,060 speakers);
• Arabic (915 speakers);
• Punjabi (860 speakers);
• Vietnamese (565 speakers);
• Spanish (555 Speakers);
• Tagalog (Pilipino, Filipino) (410 speakers);
• Malayalam (390 speakers);

List of official languages spoken

Of Canada’s official languages, residents of Charlottetown spoke:

• English only (32,370 Speakers)
• – 4 940 speakers
• French only (35 Speakers).

Ethnic and cultural breakdown

Of Charlottetown’s population:

• 23530 people were of European ethnicity.
• 8,040 people are of ethnic North American origin.
• 6,650 people were ethnic Asian;
• 2,380 people were “other ethnic and cultural”Origin; and
• 880 people are of African descent.

Visit our dedicated page for more information about settling down in Canada Here is a link to the article.

To look up a specific city not included in the above list, use Statistics Canada’s municipal profile tool Here is a link to the article.

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