- Nepalese Canadian
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Nepalese Canadian Total population 3,780 (2006)[1] Regions with significant populations Ontario
1,995
(52.8%)Alberta
715
(18.9%)British Columbia
570
(15.1%)Quebec
310
(8.20%)Manitoba
115
(3.04%)Languages Religion Hinduism · Buddhism · Kirant Mundhum · Islam · Christianity.
Related ethnic groups Nepalese Canadians or Nepali Canadians are Canadians with roots in the South Asian country of Nepal.
Contents
Migration History
Nepalis are recent immigrants in Canada and their numbers are relatively small. According to the 1991 report on immigration and citizenship, only 125 people indicated Nepal as their country of birth.[2] Aside from immigrants from Nepal itself, there are also Nepali-speaking people from neighboring countries such as India, Burma and Bhutan as well as Nepalis who lived in other countries (Fiji, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States) before immigrating to Canada.
The majority of Nepalis in Canada migrated in pursuit of better economic opportunities and professional fulfilment. Some who had experienced discrimination in the countries they left were also attracted by the possibility of enjoying political and religious freedom in Canada. A small number of Nepalis arrived during the 1960s and early 1970s. From the late 1970s to the present there has been a relative increase in their number. Some Nepalis arrived in Canada as independent professionals and members of various occupational groups, while others were able to enter through family affiliations and personal contacts. A small group of Nepalis came through the Gurkha Welfare Appeal (Canada), which was established by Canadian military veterans after World War II.
Nepalis have settled primarily in the urban areas of Canada. Almost half of them are located in Ontario, and the second-largest settlement is in British Columbia. Only a handful are spread throughout the rest of Canada. There are also a number of Canadian parents seeking to adopt children from Nepal although recently Canadian authorities have suspended adoptions from Nepal.[3] Nepali foreign employment agencies had promoted Nepal's workforce and seek openings in Canada so Nepalese workers could be hired through personal contacts in various sectors[4].
Current Status
The Nepalis who have immigrated to Canada are, by and large, a well-educated group, and a number of them have advanced university degrees.[5] Members of the Nepalese community in Canada occupy positions as professors, bankers, accountants, doctors, engineers, architects, computer professionals, agriculturalists, and researchers.
Some have private practices in medicine, pharmacy, and accounting, or are self-employed in various fields such as real estate and the hospitality and service sectors. While there are Nepalese Canadians working in restaurants and factories, others have high-level positions as senior executives in corporations and partners in national firms. Nepali immigrants are also beginning to establish small businesses, such as restaurants and specialty stores.
Many Nepalese Canadians participate in mainstream-Canadian political, professional, religious, and charitable organizations.[6] Because of their small numbers, however, their influence on Canadian regional and national politics is as yet only marginal.
Notable people
- Aditya Jha, Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist
References
- ^ "Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories - 20% sample data", Ethnocultural Portrait of Canada, Census 2006, Statistics Canada, http://www12.statcan.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-562/pages/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo=PR&Code=01&Data=Count&Table=2&StartRec=1&Sort=3&Display=All&CSDFilter=5000, retrieved 2010-01-27
- ^ Multicultural Canada - Nepalis/Migration and Settlement
- ^ Canada halts adoptions from Nepal
- ^ Canada & Australia to open for Nepali workers
- ^ Multicultural Canada - Nepalis/Economic Life
- ^ Multicultural Canada - Nepalis/Community Life, Intergroup Relations, and Group Maintenance
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- Nepalese diaspora
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