Maltese Canadians


Maltese Canadians are Canadian citizens of Maltese descent or Malta-born people who reside in Canada. According to the 2011 Census, there were 38,780 Canadians who claimed full or partial Maltese ancestry, having an increase compared to those 37,120 in 2006.

History

The Maltese emigration of significant manner occurred in 1840, followed by periods of emigration around 1907 and between 1918-1920. However, most Maltese emigrants settled in Canada after World War II. Most these immigrants settled in Ontario, mainly Toronto, but over time other Maltese immigrants moved to other Canadian cities including Montreal, Vancouver, and St. John's. Approximately 18,000 Maltese people emigrated to Canada between 1946 and 1981, but emigration slowly reduced over time. In 2006 only 145 people of Maltese origin settled in the country.

Demography

Today, most of people of Maltese origin, some 18,680 live in Toronto. An area of Dundas Street West in The Junction is known as "Little Malta" due to the historic Maltese population, as well as the continued presence of Maltese clubs and businesses. There are also Maltese communities in other parts of Ontario as well as in Montreal, Quebec, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Vancouver, British Columbia.