Greek Canadians
Ethnic group
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Ελληνοκαναδοί | |
|---|---|
Population distribution of Greek Canadians by census division, 2021 census | |
| Total population | |
| 262,142 (by ancestry, 2021 Census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Canada | |
 Ontario | ~130,000[2] |
 Quebec | ~70,000[3] |
 British Columbia | ~24,000[4] |
 Alberta | ~14,000[5] |
| Languages | |
| English • French • Greek | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Greek Orthodox Christianity[6] | |
Demographics
Provinces and territories with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[7]
| Province or territory | Greek Canadians | Percentage | Born in Greece |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 271,410 | 0.79 | |
| Ontario | 148,555 | 1.12 | 36,575 |
| Quebec |
71,330 | 0.90 | 18,420 |
| British Columbia | 24,460 | 0.54 | 3,635 |
| Alberta |
15,025 | 0.38 | 2,005 |
 Manitoba | 4,130 | 0.33 | 820 |
 Nova Scotia | 3,360 | 0.37 | 510 |
 Saskatchewan | 2,880 | 0.27 | 605 |
 New Brunswick | 950 | 0.13 | 95 |
 Newfoundland and Labrador | 380 | 0.07 | 30 |
 Prince Edward Island | 175 | 0.13 | 15 |
 Yukon | 90 | 0.26 | 10 |
 Northwest Territories | 50 | 0.12 | 10 |
 Nunavut | 20 | 0.06 | 10 |
Census Metropolitan Agglomerations (CMAs) with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:[7]
| CMA | Greek Canadians | Percentage | Born in Greece | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Ontario | 99,145 | 1.69 | 27,890 |
| Montreal | Quebec |
66,395 | 1.66 | 17,890 |
| Vancouver | British Columbia | 16,085 | 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 | Alberta | 5,015 | 0.39 | 655 |
| 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 | Province | Greek Canadians | Percentage | Born in Greece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Ontario | 57,420 | 2.13 | 19,240 |
| Montreal | Quebec |
29,060 | 1.75 | 9,150 |
| Laval | Quebec |
20,385 | 4.96 | 5,940 |
| Mississauga | Ontario |
7,490 | 1.05 | |
| Ottawa | Ontario | 6,975 | 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 | Province | Greek Canadians | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laval—Les Îles | Quebec |
13,190 | 12.46 |
| Toronto—Danforth | Ontario | 7,655 | 7.26 |
| 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 |
Religion
| Religious group | 2021[10][a] | 2001[11][b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Christianity | 203,460 | 77.62% | 197,290 | 91.72% |
| Islam | 1,605 | 0.61% | 535 | 0.25% |
| Judaism | 1,480 | 0.56% | 895 | 0.42% |
| Irreligion | 54,355 | 20.74% | 15,915 | 7.4% |
| Buddhism | 230 | 0.09% | 155 | 0.07% |
| Hinduism | 85 | 0.03% | 45 | 0.02% |
| Sikhism | 55 | 0.02% | 25 | 0.01% |
| Indigenous spirituality | 55 | 0.02% | 100 | 0.05% |
| Other | 830 | 0.32% | 140 | 0.07% |
| Total Greek Canadian population | 252,135 | 100% | 215,110 | 100% |
| Religious group | 2021[10][a] | 2001[11][b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Catholic | 25,640 | 12.6% | 19,960 | 10.12% |
| Orthodox | 155,175 | 76.27% | 158,305 | 80.24% |
| Protestant | 11,095 | 5.45% | 15,530 | 7.87% |
| Other Christian | 11,550 | 5.68% | 3,495 | 1.77% |
| Total Greek Canadian christian population | 203,460 | 100% | 197,290 | 100% |
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[12] - 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
- Nikolas Kompridis – Philosophy
- 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
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- Sophia Aggelonitis – businesswoman
- Jack Agrios – former director and executive member of the Edmonton Elks
- Andreas Apostolopoulos – real estate
- Steve Apostolopoulos – real estate
- Chris Giannou – war surgeon
- Sam Kolias – founder, Chairman and CEO of Boardwalk REIT
- Mike Lazaridis – founder and co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM), creator of BlackBerry
- Sam Panopoulos - Chef and businessman best known for his invention of the Hawaiian Pizza
Creatives
Artists
- Thalia Assuras – television journalist
- Eleonora Dimakos – model, actress, journalist and makeup artist
- Helen Lucas – artist
- Billy Mavreas – cartoonist
- Pythia – drag queen
- Paul Soulikias – artist painter
- Chrysanne Stathacos - multidisciplinary artist
- George Trakas – environmental sculptor
Sport
Athletics
- Nicolas Macrozonaris – 100m sprinter
Baseball
- Alex Anthopoulos – President of Baseball Operations for the Atlanta Braves, former Blue Jays General Manager
- George Kottaras – Major League player
- Vickie Panos – player, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in 1944
Basketball
- Ammanuel Diressa – player with Scarborough Shooting Stars of the Canadian Elite Basketball League
- Naz Mitrou-Long – NBA player, Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers
- Elijah Mitrou-Long - player with PAOK of the Greek Basket League
Boxing
- Hercules Kyvelos – boxer
Chess
- Peter Biyiasas – chess grandmaster
Diving
- Alexandre Despatie – diver, Olympic silver medalist (Greek grandmother)
Fencing
- Joseph Polossifakis - sabre fencer, 2016 Olympian, Pan-Am Games medalist
Field hockey
- Ernie Cholakis – player
Figure skating
Football
- Stavros Katsantonis – CFL defensive back, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Dave Sapunjis – CFL all-star receiver, Calgary Stampeders
Ice hockey
- Andreas Athanasiou – NHL player for the Chicago Blackhawks
- Steve Gatzos – former NHL player, Pittsburgh Penguins
- Tom Karalis – former AHL player
- Chris Kontos – former National Hockey League (NHL) player
- Chris Kotsopoulos — former NHL player, New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings
- Tom Kostopoulos – former NHL player, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames
- Nick Kypreos – former NHL player, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers
- Christian Kyrou – NHL player for the Dallas Stars
- Jordan Kyrou – NHL player for the St. Louis Blues; gold medalist at the 2018 World Junior Championships
Nick Kypreos, former NHL player, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers - Dave Nonis – former Canadian ice hockey defenceman; former general manager and executive of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
- José Théodore – former NHL player; Hart Memorial Trophy winner in 2002 with the Montreal Canadiens
Mixed Martial Arts
- Smealinho Rama – light heavyweight
- Elias Theodorou – former UFC middleweight
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
Paralympics
Soccer
- Themi Antonoglou – player
- David Fronimadis – player
- Costa Iliadis – player, Toronto FC II
- Ilias Iliadis – player, FC Montana
- Stathis Kappos – player
- Jace Kotsopoulos – player
- John Limniatis – player
- James Pantemis – goalkeeper, CF Montréal
- Lucas Papaconstantinou – goalkeeper
- Nick Papadakis – player
- Peter Sarantopoulos – player
- Bobby Smyrniotis – coach, former player
- Kenny Stamatopolous – player, former Toronto FC and Kalamata
- Sarah Stratigakis - midfield, Michigan Wolverines, Canadian Women's National Team
- Theo Zagar – player
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[13]
- 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
Film, TV and stage
Actors and performers
- Marie Avgeropoulos – actress, Tracers, Supernatural, Fringe, The 100
- Alex Carter – actor
- John Colicos – actor
- Chris Diamantopoulos – actor
- Jordan Gavaris – actor
- John Ioannou – actor
- Demetrius Joyette – actor
- John Kapelos – actor
- Athena Karkanis – actress, The Border, Lost Girl, Low Winter Sun, The Lottery, Manifest
- Argiris Karras – actor
- Alex Karzis – actor, singer and musician
- Elias Koteas – actor, Crash
- Melissanthi Mahut – actress
- Natasha Negovanlis – actress and web host
- Alexandra Ordolis – actress
- Nikki Ponte – singer
- Cristine Prosperi – actress
- Daniel Samonas – actor
- Sofia Shinas – singer, actress, The Crow
- Tracy Spiridakos – actress, Being Human, Revolution, Chicago P.D.
- Venus Terzo – actress
- Elias Toufexis – actor
- Angelo Tsarouchas – comedian/actor It's all Greek to Me Comedy Show
- Nia Vardalos – actress, screenwriter, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Nia Vardalos, actress My Big Fat Greek Wedding - Marie Wilson – actress, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital
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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
- Katerine Duska – singer
- DVBBS – electronic duo, most famous for their joint international hit with Borgeous, Tsunami
- Hannah Georgas – singer/songwriter
- Theo Goutzinakis – musician
- 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 and Bon Jovi's guitarist
- Chris Yonge – rapper
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
- Vassy Kapelos — host, CBC News Network's Power & Politics, former Global News Ottawa bureau chief
- 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 News 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
Historical figures
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
- Justice Andromache Karakatsanis – Supreme Court of Canada, 2011 to present
- Justice David Stratas – Federal Court of Appeal, 2009 to present
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
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Notes
- Religious breakdown proportions based on "Greek" ethnic or cultural origin responses on the 2021 census.[10]
- Religious breakdown proportions based on "Greek" ethnic or cultural origin responses on the 2001 census.[11]
