Greek Canadians

Greek Canadians (Greek: Ελληνοκαναδοί) are Canadian citizens who have full or partial Greek heritage or people who emigrated from Greece and reside in Canada. According to the 2021 Census, there were 262,140 Canadians who claimed Greek ancestry.[1]

Greek Canadians
Ελληνοκαναδοί
Total population
262,142
(by ancestry, 2021 Census)[1]
Regions with significant populations
 Canada
 Ontario132,442[2]
 Quebec89,985[3]
 British Columbia42,770[4]
 Alberta11,945[5]
Languages
English • French • Greek
Religion
Predominantly Greek Orthodox Christianity[6]
Part of a series on
Greeks
Great Seal of Greece
By country
Native communities

Greek diaspora
Groups by region
African Greeks:

Eastern Greeks:

Northern Greeks:

Southern Greeks:

Other Greek groups:
Greek culture
Religion
Languages and dialects

Other languages
History of Greece
(Ancient · Byzantine · Ottoman)

Demographics

Provinces and territories with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[7]

Province or territoryGreek CanadiansPercentageBorn in Greece
 Canada271,4100.79
 Ontario148,5551.1236,575
 Quebec 71,330 0.90 18,420
 British Columbia24,460 0.54 3,635
 Alberta 15,025 0.38 2,005
 Manitoba4,1300.33820
 Nova Scotia3,3600.37510
 Saskatchewan2,880 0.27 605
 New Brunswick9500.1395
 Newfoundland and Labrador3800.0730
 Prince Edward Island1750.1315
 Yukon900.2610
 Northwest Territories500.1210
 Nunavut200.0610

Census Metropolitan Agglomerations (CMAs) with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[7]

CMA Greek CanadiansPercentageBorn in Greece
Toronto  Ontario99,1451.6927,890
Montreal  Quebec 66,395 1.66 17,890
Vancouver  British Columbia16,085 0.66 2,890
Ottawa - Gatineau  Ontario /  Quebec 8,005 0.62 990
Hamilton  Ontario 6,940 0.94 1,620
Calgary  Alberta 6,770 0.49 940
London  Ontario 5,365 1.10 1,180
Edmonton  Alberta5,0150.39655
Oshawa  Ontario 4,690 1.25 715
Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo  Ontario 3,885 0.75 580

Cities with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[8]

City ProvinceGreek CanadiansPercentageBorn in Greece
Toronto  Ontario57,4202.1319,240
Montreal  Quebec 29,060 1.75 9,150
Laval  Quebec 20,385 4.96 5,940
Mississauga  Ontario 7,490 1.05
Ottawa  Ontario6,975 0.76
Markham  Ontario 6,215 1.90
Calgary  Alberta 6,150 0.50
Vancouver  British Columbia 5,760 0.93
Vaughan  Ontario 5,065 1.67
Hamilton  Ontario 5,030 0.95

Ridings (Federal electoral districts) with the highest percentage of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[9]

Riding ProvinceGreek CanadiansPercentage
Laval—Les Îles  Quebec 13,190 12.46
Toronto—Danforth  Ontario7,6557.26
Papineau  Quebec 5,490 5.01
Saint-Laurent  Quebec 4,795 4.92
Scarborough Centre  Ontario 4,945 4.48
Beaches—East York  Ontario 4,585 4.23
Ahuntsic-Cartierville  Quebec 4,695 4.18
Vimy  Quebec 4,335 4.07
Don Valley East  Ontario 3,785 4.06
Pierrefonds—Dollard  Quebec 3,680 3.43

List of notable Canadians of Greek ancestry

Academics
  • Andreas Mandelis – expert on photonics, member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; awarded the 2014 Killam Prize

Authors
  • Pan Bouyoucas – finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award, 2001
  • Tess Fragoulis – writer and educator
  • Thomas King – writer and broadcaster presenter
  • Dimitrios Roussopoulos – politician and activist
  • Hélène Papachristidis Holden[10] - writer, recipient of Order of Canada

Professors
  • Athanasios Asimakopulos – Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Economics, McGill University
  • Nick Bontis – DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University 3M National Teaching Fellow
  • André Gerolymatos – Hellenic Studies
  • Dimitri Kitsikis – Professor Emeritus of History, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
  • Fotini Markopoulou-Kalamara – Physics
  • John Mylopoulos – Computer Science
  • Nikolaos Oikonomides – Byzantine history
  • David N. Stamos – Philosophy
  • Anastasios Venetsanopoulos – Vice President of Research and Innovation at Ryerson University

Business and philanthropy
Mike Lazaridis, creator of BlackBerry

Creatives
Canadians of Greek ancestry mark the independence of Greece in Montreal's Park Extension neighbourhood.

Artists
  • Eleonora Dimakos – model, actress, journalist and makeup artist
  • Billy Mavreas – cartoonist
  • Pythia – drag queen
  • Paul Soulikias – artist painter
  • Chrysanne Stathacos - multidisciplinary artist
  • George Trakas – environmental sculptor

Athletics
  • Nicolas Macrozonaris – 100m sprinter

Baseball

Basketball

Boxing
  • Hercules Kyvelos – boxer

Chess

Diving

Field hockey
  • Ernie Cholakis – player

Figure skating

Football
  • Dave Sapunjis – CFL all-star receiver, Calgary Stampeders

Ice hockey

Mixed Martial Arts

Motorsports
  • Jorge Dascollas - Rally Driver, former National Rally Champion and president of the Canadian Association of RallySport (CARS) 2006-2007
  • Dimitri "Takis" Andrew - Rally Driver
  • Panos Simatos - Rally Driver

Soccer

Strength athletics
  • Dominic Filiou – strongman

Water skiing
  • George Athans – water-skier

Wrestling
  • Bret Hart – former pro wrestler, multiple World Champion in the WWF and WCW; of Greek ancestry; mother is half Greek[11]
  • Owen Hart – former pro wrestler, WWE Intercontinental Champion, European Champion and Tag-Team Champion, brother of Bret
  • Teddy Hart – pro wrestler, nephew of Owen and Bret
  • Jim Korderas – former WWE referee, television commentator
  • Natalya Neidhart – pro wrestler, former WWE Women's Champion, niece of Bret and Owen Hart
  • Trish Stratus (aka Patricia Anne Stratigias) – former professional wrestler, seven time WWE Women's Champion, former WWE Hardcore Champion
  • John Tolos – former professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager

Actors and performers

Directors and producers
  • Tony Asimakopoulos – documentary film director
  • Stephano Barberis - music video director
  • Constant Mentzas - filmmaker
  • Watts – music producer, born Austin Garrick

Entertainers
  • Ariana Chris – mezzo-soprano
  • Christine Cushing – celebrity chef
  • Anesti Danelis - comedian, musician
  • Dini Dimakos – comedian/actor, Video on Trial, Love Court
  • DVBBS – electronic duo, most famous for their joint international hit with Borgeous, Tsunami
  • Hannah Georgas – singer/songwriter
  • Rex Harrington - ballet dancer
  • Alex Karzis – actor, voiceover artist, musician and singer
  • KO – musician
  • Sid Krofft – puppeteer
  • George Sapounidis – musician, troubadour, statistician, Sinophile; subject of documentary Chairman George
  • Teresa Stratas (born 1938) – soprano OC; retired Canadian operatic soprano; known for her award-winning recording of Alban Berg's Lulu; born in Toronto, Ontario
  • Angelo Tsarouchas – comedian/actor, It's all Greek to Me Comedy Show
  • Phil X (born Phil Xenidis) – prolific session guitarist

Journalists and broadcasters
  • Ernie Afaganis – retired CBC-TV Sports and Olympics anchor.
  • Mannie Buzunis - Vancouver radio talk show host and news anchor (maternal uncle is Ernie Afaganis)
  • Thalia Assuras – anchor and reporter
  • Athena King – newscaster on Naked News
  • Steve Kouleas – sports anchor and reporter
  • George Lagogianes – television personality, currently reporter and anchor for CP24; host of Auto Shop
  • Nik Nanos – political commentator and founder of Nanos Research
  • Ioanna Roumeliotis – CBC Newsworld reporter
  • Lou Schizas – equities analyst
  • George Stroumboulopoulos – host, CBC Newsworld's The Hour, former MuchMusic VJ
  • Christina-Laia Vlahos – OMNI 1 presenter
  • Antonia Zerbisias – Toronto Star columnist
  • Vassy Kapelos — host, CBC News Network's Power & Politics, former Global News Ottawa bureau chief
  • Niki Anastasakis — Producer and Anchor, CHCH's Inside the Story, former Global News Peterborough Reporter

Immigrants
  • Ioánnis Fokás Juan de Fuca – first Greek-Canadian (1592)

Politicians
  • Annie Koutrakis - Liberal MP for Vimy, Quebec
  • Sophia Aggelonitis – former Liberal MPP for Hamilton Mountain
  • Niki Ashton – NDP Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Churchill, Manitoba
  • Eleni Bakopanos – former Liberal MP for Saint-Denis
  • Staff Barootes – former Conservative Senator
  • Marie Bountrogianni – former Liberal MPP for Hamilton Mountain
  • John Cannis – former Liberal MP for Scarborough Centre, 1993 to 2011
  • Tony Clement – Member of Parliament for Muskoka, and President of the Treasury Board
  • Mary Fragedakis – Toronto City Councillor for Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth
  • Peter Fragiskatos – Liberal MP for London North Centre
  • Philippe Gigantès – former Liberal Senator
  • Faith Goldy – right-wing political commentator, former Toronto Mayoral candidate
  • Leo Housakos – Conservative Senator
  • Maurine Karagianis – New Democratic Party of British Columbia MLA, former Esquimalt – municipal councillor, British Columbia
  • Jim Karygiannis – Toronto City Councillor
  • Labi Kousoulis – Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth (formerly Business), and Minister of Trade.
  • Emmanuella Lambropoulos – Liberal MP for Saint Laurent
  • Costas Menegakis – Former Conservative Party of Canada MP for Richmond Hill
  • Pana Merchant – Liberal Senator from Saskatchewan
  • Christina Mitas - PC MPP for Scarborough Centre, 2018 to present
  • Constantine George Mitges – former PC MP, first Greek elected federally
  • Nick Mantas - Toronto City Councillor, Ward 22, Scarborough - Agincourt
  • George Samis – former Ontario New Democratic Party MPP, first Greek elected to a Canadian legislature
  • Christos Sirros – former Quebec Liberal MNA and provincial cabinet minister
  • Gerry Sklavounos – Liberal Member of the Québec National Assembly
  • Dimitri Soudas – Former Communications Director to the Prime Minister of Canada
  • Diane Stratas – former Progressive Conservative MP for Scarborough Centre, 1979 to 1980
  • Effie Triantafilopoulos - PC MPP for Oakville-North Burlington, 2018 to present

Judiciary

Religious figures
  • Nicholas Salamis – priest
  • Christophoros (Rakintzakis) – bishop

Order of Canada recipients
  • Teresa Stratas (born 1938) – soprano OC; retired Canadian operatic soprano; known for her award-winning recording of Alban Berg's Lulu; born in Toronto, Ontario

Order of Merit of the Police Forces recipients
  • Peter Lambrinakos MOM – Canadian police and corporate security executive.

See also

References
  1. "Ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age: Canada, provinces and territories, 2021". statcan.gc.ca.
  2. "Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories – Ontario". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on September 21, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  3. "Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories – Quebec". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  4. "Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories – British Columbia". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  5. "Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories – Alberta". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on September 3, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  6. "Selected Demographic and Cultural Characteristics". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved January 18, 2009.
  7. "Census Profile, 2016 Census, Ethnic origin for Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs)". Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  8. Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Toronto, City [Census subdivision], Ontario and Toronto, Census division [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved December 4, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. Canada, Government of Canada, Statistics. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Laval--Les Îles [Federal electoral district], Quebec and Toronto, Census division [Census division], Ontario". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved December 4, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. General, Office of the Secretary to the Governor. "Ms. Hélène Papachristidis Holden". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  11. Bret Hart's mother is half Greek as is published in his autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling
  • hellenism.net – a comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Americans

Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Greek diaspora in Canada.
  • Greek-Canadians – A comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Canadians
  • GreekGateway.com – Greek cultural entertainment site, event resource and business directory
  • Toronto-Danforth political riding with concentrated Hellenic population
Embassy and Consulates
Charitable organizations
Communities
Trade organizations
Affiliate trade organizations
Performance art groups
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