Portuguese Canadians

"'Ethnic group


caption = Notable Portuguese Canadians: Nelly Furtado • Mario Silva
poptime = Portuguese 357,690 Canadians Roughly 1.2% of Canada's population flagicon|Portugal flagicon|Canada
group = Portuguese Canadian
popplace=
Toronto, Ontario: 171,545
Montreal, Quebec: 41,050
Mississauga, Ontario: 31,795
Kitchener, Ontario: 17,220
Hamilton, Ontario: 14,110
Cambridge, Ontario: 10,685
London, Ontario: 10,525
Winnipeg, Manitoba: 10,315
Ottawa, Ontario: 9,910
Edmonton, Alberta: 7,760 [cite web|url=http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo27l.htm|title=Population by selected ethnic origins, by census metropolitan areas|work=2001 Census Stats Canada|accessdate=2006-12-23]
langs=Predominantly English and Portuguese and/or its dialects.
rels=Predominantly Roman Catholic

Portuguese Canadians ( _pt. luso-canadianos) are Canadians of Portuguese descent. According to StatCan, in 2001, there were 357,690 persons of Portuguese descent living in Canada, or 1.2% of the nation's total population. Most Portuguese Canadians live in Ontario 248,265 (69%), followed by Québec 48,765 (14%) and British Columbia 30,085 (8%)cite web
last =
first = The Canadian Encyclopedia
title = Population figures for people of Portuguese descent in Canada
url= http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0006423
accessdate = 2006-12-29 ]

History of Portuguese in Canada

The Portuguese Canadian community chose 2003 as the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their officially-sponsored immigration to Canada. The Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for Canada Post, said that "the Portuguese Canadian community is a vibrant group that enriches the Canadian mosaic with its history, language, culture and work ethic." He added that Canada Post was proud to be issuing a stamp honouring Portuguese Canadians during the month of June when cultural celebrations honouring the life of 16th century poet Luís de Camões, considered to be Portugal's greatest poet, are taking place in many communities across the country.

Portugal played a pioneering role in the explorations of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 15th century, Prince Henry of Portugal, better known as Henry the Navigator, established a school of navigation in Sagres, in the Algarve region of Portugal. From this school emerged explorers who found their way to the Indies, South America, North America and Africa, including Gaspar Corte Real who was one of the earliest discoverers of Canada. Corte Real explored the northeast coast of "Terra Nova", naming Conception Bay, Portugal Cove and Labrador -- which means "labourer" in Portuguese.

During the 1950s, a large number of immigrants from the Azores, fleeing political conflict with the regime of António de Oliveira Salazar, moved into the downtown core of Canada’s major cities such as the area of Portugal Village in Toronto, Ontario and further west along Dundas Street to Brockton Village. The stretch of Dundas St. passing through Brockton Village is also known as "Rua Açores". From the 1970s, increasing numbers of Brazilians moved into the same area.

Hamilton, Ontario also has a solid Portuguese community concentrated in the downtown core around Barton and James Streets and nearby the St. Mary's Roman Catholic church. This area in Hamilton is known as "Jamesville" and is shared with a neighbouring Italian population.

Many second generation Portuguese-Canadians have moved out of Toronto to suburbs such as Brampton, Mississauga, Oakville, Kitchener, Cambridge and Hamilton and Laval outside of Montreal. This spatial and social move, aided by Portuguese-Canadian real estate agents who settle them into suburban communities with large concentrations of other Portuguese, indicates the gradual economic security and comfort with which Portuguese-Canadians address their every day lives in Canada. With this move to the suburbs, there has also emerged an increase in Portuguese students pursuing university training for employment beyond the construction site or the factory floor to professions and small businesses.

Notable Portuguese Canadians

Historical

*Pedro da Silva, (1647 - ?), the first post courier in New France, in what was to become part of Canada (17th-18th century). cite web| title = Canada Post: Celebrating Portuguese heritage and Canada's first letter carrier (Pedro da Silva)| url=http://www.canadapost.ca/corporate/about/newsroom/pr/archive-e.asp?prid=856| accessdate = 2008-01-02]

Business

* Alain J. P. Belda - has been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Alcoa since January 2001.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]

Education

* Aida Baptista - Lecturer, Instituto Camoes, University of Toronto.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Jose Baptista - Ph. D. Professor & Researcher at the University of Toronto and University of the Azores [cite web| title = Science Direct| url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WJH-45FKR27-4&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=7b7c500ce19bb74db409d75aeebf3de7]
* Irene Maria Ferreira Blayer - Ph. D. Professor, Brock University (Azorean Ancestry).cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* John Elias - Associate Dean Humber College, Ontario.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Ilda Januario - Secretary, OISE, M. Sc. Anthropology, U of T, McGill (Montreal & Toronto).cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Manuela Marujo - Ph. D. Senior Lectuter at the University of Toronto, Department of Spanish & Portuguese.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Fernando Nunes - Ph. D. Assist. Professor Mount St. Vincent University Halifax, Nova Scotia.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Victor Pinheiro - Professor U. Montreal, Architecture and Design.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Victor M.P. da Rosa - Ph. D. Sociologist & Professor, University of Ottawa. [cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Ana Maria Silva - Bachelor in fine arts and M.Ed.in education Université de Montreal, Concordia. cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Prof. Elvino Sousa - Ph. D. Electrical & Computer Engineering University of Toronto.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* John Sousa - Professor of Psychology Humber College, Ontario.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* José Carlos Teixeira - Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Okanagan University College, UBC..cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Joaquim Vicente - Ph. D. Professor University of Toronto, Mechanical Engineering. Inventor.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]

Film and television

* Justin Louis, (1967 - ), Actor (sometimes credited as 'Justin Lewis'), appeared on 9 different TV series to date.cite web| title = imdb.com Bio: Justin Louis| url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0521878/| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Keanu Reeves, (1964- ), best known for his role as Neo in the action film trilogy The Matrix. (paternal grandmother was Portuguese-Chinese from Hawaii; Rose Lokalia Miguel).cite web| title = Keanu Reeves Family Tree; Ancestry| url=http://landing.msn.ancestry.com/famoustree/index.aspx?name=reeves&sourceCode=8723| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Sid Seixeiro - News TV Anchor for The Score Television Network.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]

Literature

* Anthony De Sa, novelist and short story writer [ [http://www.thebukowskiagency.com/Barnacle%20Love.htm] ]

Music

* Keshia Chanté (1988 - ) teen pop singer. cite web| title = Interview with Keshia Chanté| url=http://www.flare.com/hype/asks/article.jsp?content=20031107_155531_2088| accessdate = 2006-12-29] cite web| last = Henley| first = Tara| title = Interview with Keshia Chanté #2| url=http://www.straight.com/content.cfm?id=4841| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Suzana Da Camara - Jazz vocalist & composer. cite web| title = Biography: Suzana Da Camara (Official web site)| url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Canadians| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Shawn Desman, (1982- ), is a Canadian pop/R&B singer.cite web| title = Maplemusic.com Biography: Shawn Desman| url=http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/sde/bio.asp| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Nelly Furtado, (1978- ), Pop singer-songwriter.cite web| last = Bliss| first = Karen| title = Rollingstone.com Biography: Nelly Furtado| url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5918613/furtado_goes_portuguese/| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Anthony Gomes, (1975- ), Canadian blues and blues-rock guitarist and singer.cite web| title = Biography: Anthony Gomes (Official web site)| url=http://www.anthonygomes.com/| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
*Brian Melo, (1982), Winner of Canadian Idol season five (September 11, 2007). Worked as a construction worker. cite web| title = Canadian Idol (Official web site)| url=http://www.ctv.ca/idol/gen/Home.html| accessdate = 2007-09-12] cite web| title = Brian Melo Online (Fan site)| url=http://www.brian-melo.com/| accessdate = 2007-09-12] cite web| title = Yahoo Canada News: "Hamilton rocker Brian Melo crowned the new Canadian Idol| url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20070912/ca_pr_on_en/tv_canadian_idol_6| accessdate = 2007-09-12]
* Lucas Silveira, singer/guitarist of rock band The Cliks.

Politicians/ Law

* Evalina Cordeiro-McEachern - City Council, Aurora, Ontario (Born in Toronto of Azorean parents).cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Carlos de Faria- MPP Member of Provincial Parliament Mississauga East, Citizenship.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Paul Ferreira, (1973- ), NDP MPP for York-South Weston from February 2007 to October 2007.cite web| title = Biography: Paul Ferreira| url=http://www.paulferreira.ca/images/Biography.pdf| accessdate = 2006-12-29|format=PDF]
* Peter Fonseca, (1966- ), Minister of Tourism of Ontario and member of the Ontario Provincial Parliament (2003).cite web| title = Biography: Peter Fonseca| url=http://www.peterfonseca.onmpp.ca/| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Keith Martin, (1960- ), PC, MP, BSc, MD, is a Canadian physician and politician.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Martinho Medeiros MA - Political Analyst, Ontario Gov. (MP 2004) (Portuguese Ancestry, Azores).cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Luis Miranda - First Elected Mayor of Portuguese Ancestry in Canada for the City of Anjou, Quebec.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Cesar De Morais, (2001 to present) - Justice of the Peace - Ontario Court of Justice Toronto, Ontario cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Ana Nunes - Council Outremont, Montreal, Quebec.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Nelson Santos - Mayor, Kingsville, Ontario "Canada's Southernmost Town"cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Mario Silva, (1966- ), current Liberal MP representing Davenport and former Toronto city councillorcite web| title = Biography: Mario Silva| url=http://www.mariosilva.ca/AboutMario.html| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Maria Teresa Linhares de Sousa - Judge Superior Court of Justice, Ontario.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]

Science/Medicine

* Dr. Horacio Arruda - Chief Medical Officer of Health for Québec (Parents born in Azores).cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]

Sports

* Daniel Fernandes (footballer), (1983- ), He is currently the first choice goalkeeper of Greek football club PAOK FC.cite web| title = Daniel Marcio Fernandes Bio at myspace.com| url=http://www.myspace.com/Daniel_M_Fernandes| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Mike Ribeiro, (1980- ), Pro hockey player for the Dallas Stars.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* John Tavares (ice hockey), (1990 - ), "The next hockey phenom." Has been interviewed by media from Portugal and speaks the language fluently. cite web|author=Stuart McDonald| title = Featured Article, 2009 prospects: Q&A with John Tavares| publisher = Hockey's Future|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10024/2009_prospects_qa_with_john_tavares/|accessdate = 2007-12-19]
* John Tavares (lacrosse), (1968 - ), Pro lacrosse player who stars for the Buffalo Bandits. cite web|author=Stuart McDonald| title = Featured Article, 2009 prospects: Q&A with John Tavares| publisher = Hockey's Future|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/10024/2009_prospects_qa_with_john_tavares/|accessdate = 2007-12-19] [cite web |title =Inaugural Celebrating Outstanding Portuguese-Canadian Achievement Awards|url =http://www.congresso.ca/congresso/copa.htm|publisher =Portuguese Canadian National Congress|accessdate =2007-12-19]
* Tony Tavares - former President of the Montreal Expos.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent| url=http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm| accessdate = 2006-12-29]
* Steven Vitoria - Pro soccer player who was born in the greater Toronto area and now plays for Portugal.cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent
* Matt Santos - Semi Pro Runner and Rower based out of Belleville, Ontario. Both parents are Portuguese born..cite web| title = Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent|

Miscellaneous

* Emanuel Jaques, (1965-1977), victim of a high-profile murder in Toronto. [Miracles of Emanuel Jaques. Available: http://www.ccca.ca/c/writing/m/mays/mays002t.html Accessed: 2007-6-19]

Groups

Some Portuguese-Canadians adopt the name Luso-Canadians for their local social and business clubs in reference to Lusitania, the ancient name associated with Portugal under the Roman empire. The attendance growth of organizations indicate the growth in small business and universities throughout the community.Leading as a national voice one can find the "Congresso" [http://www.congresso.ca/ Luso-Canadiano National Congress] .

Portuguese-Canadian business groups

* [http://www.fpcbp.com/ Federation of Portuguese-Canadian Business and Professionals]
* Association of Portuguese Businesses in Winnipeg
* Alliance Of Portuguese Clubs And Associations Of Ontario
* Alliance des Professionels et Entrepreneurs Portugais du Québec

Portuguese-Canadian Educational groups

* [http://stw.ryerson.ca/~port/ Portuguese Association of Ryerson, PAR]
* York University Portuguese Association, YUPA
* University of Toronto Portuguese Association, UTPA * [http://www.utpa.iwarp.com/ UTPA 2004] / [http://www.utpaonline.net/ UTPA 2005 - present]

Other groups

* [http://www.congresso.ca/ Congresso] - Portuguese Canadian National Congress
* [http://www.lusaweb.com/ Lusa Web] - The meeting place for Portuguese-Americans/ Canadians.
* [http://www.vivaportugal.com/ Viva Portugal Viva Portugal] - Linking the Portuguese Communities in Canada, The US, and other countries outside of Portugal.
* [http://www.pclaonline.com/ pclaonline.com] Portuguese Canadian Lawyers Association
* [http://portuguesesocialclub.org/ Portuguese Social Club] - The Portuguese Social Club is a Society established to Promote, Preserve, Maintain our Cultural Heritage and to Unite all Portuguese of Nova Scotia.
* [http://www.portuguesebenevolentsociety.com/ Portuguese Benevolent Society] - a non-profit organization created to promote harmony, education and culture in and about the Luso community.
* [http://www.portuguesefilm.com/ Canada's Portuguese Film & Video Festival] - presented in multiple cities.
* [http://www.jovensvancouver.com/ JOVENSvancouver] - youth group in Greater Vancouver.
* [http://www.arcoirisbc.com/ Arco Iris BC] - a BGLTQ support and social group in B.C.
* [http://www.cabf.ca/ Canadian Association of Bandas Filarmonicas] - A musical tradition. The CABF works to unite the Portuguese marching bands of Canada.

Portuguese Publications

* [http://www.lusitania.ca/ Lusitania] - Canada's monthly celebrating the Portuguese world.
* [http://www.portugalpost.com/ Portugal News] - News from Portugal, in English and Portuguese.
* [http://www.vozlusitana.com Voz Lusitana] - Portuguese/English monthly newspaper.

ee also

List of Portuguese Americans
List of Portuguese people
Luso American

References

External links

* [http://www.portuguesefoundation.org/famous.htm Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent]