Armenian Canadians
Encyclopedia : A : AR : ARM : Armenian Canadians
Armenian Canadians are Canadian citizens of Armenian descent. The 2001 Canadian census determined that there were 40,505 persons of Armenian ancestry living in Canada.
History
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Armenians who had escaped persecution from the Armenian Genocide formed communities in southern Ontario. However, Armenian immigration was limited; since the Canadian government had classified Armenians as Asians, they were considered alien and undesirable guests.
Thousands of Armenians made their way to Canada after the Immigration Law became less restrictive in the 1950s. Many of the newcomers were originally from Middle Eastern countries which were hampered by conflict, such as Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iran and Turkey.
In the early 1990s, some Armenians immigrated to Canada after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
Most of the Armenian Canadians are centered in the provinces of Quebec (with significant communities in Montreal and Laval) and Ontario (Toronto, Cambridge and St. Catharines) and are active in community life. Smaller communities exist in the central and Maritime Provinces, with a slightly larger community in British Columbia.
Many Armenian organizations and churches have branches wherever there is Canadian Armenian life.
Notable Armenian Canadians
Politicians
- Sarkis Assadourian – Former Liberal MP 1993-2004
- Ann Cavoukian – Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
- Raymond Setlakwe – entrepreneur, politician, lawyer
Entertainers
- Isabel Bayrakdarian – soprano
- Arsinee Khanjian – actress
- Raffi – children's singer and songwriter
Filmmakers & photographers
- Atom Egoyan – filmmaker
- Yousuf Karsh – photographer
- Malak Karsh – photographer
Musicians
- Raffi Armenian – composer
- Isabel Bayrakdarian – soprano
- Peter Oundjian – violinist and conductor
See also
- Immigration to Canada
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