Moroccan Canadians
Part of the Moroccan diaspora
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Moroccan Canadians (Arabic: المغاربة في كندا, romanized: al-Maghāribah fī Kanadā) are Canadians of full or partial Moroccan descent, as well as people from the state of Morocco who are ethno-linguistic and religious minorities. According to the 2021 Census, there were 98,980 Canadians who claimed full or partial Moroccan ancestry, an increase compared to the 2006 Census.[1]
Population distribution of Moroccan Canadians by census division, 2021 census | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 99,980 (by ancestry, 2021 Census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Quebec | 81,230[2] |
 Ontario | 12,300[3] |
| Languages | |
| Arabic (Moroccan Arabic), Berber, French English | |
| Religion | |
| Islam, Judaism,[4][5] Irreligion, Christianity [6][a] | |
History
Moroccans began arriving in Canada in the mid-1960s in search of employment and a new life. Between 1962 and 1993, 40,000 settled in Canada.[7]
The next wave came in the late 1990s. Moroccan immigrants settled mainly in the province of Quebec, but there are also communities in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Winnipeg.[8]
At the 2001 Canadian Census, there were 21,355 Canadians who indicated Moroccan descent, with over 16,000, about 75% of the total population, residing in Montreal.[9]
Demography
Religion
The majority of Moroccan Canadians are Muslims and a large minority are Jews.[10] Jews constitute between 27%[4][5] and 45% of Moroccan Canadians.[11]
| Religious group | 2021[6][a] | 2001[12][b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Pop. | % | |
| Islam | 68,925 | 68.94% | 12,810 | 59.97% |
| Judaism | 15,300 | 15.3% | 5,735 | 26.85% |
| Irreligion | 12,815 | 12.82% | 1,685 | 7.89% |
| Christianity | 2,735 | 2.74% | 1,100 | 5.15% |
| Buddhism | 30 | 0.03% | 0 | 0% |
| Hinduism | 0 | 0% | 10 | 0.05% |
| Other | 170 | 0.17% | 25 | 0.12% |
| Total Moroccan Canadian population | 99,980 | 100% | 21,360 | 100% |
Notable people
- Aldo Bensadoun, is a Canadian businessman, investor and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the Aldo Group, a worldwide retail shoe company.
- Gad Elmaleh, is a Moroccan Canadian stand-up comedian actor and artist.
- Fatima Houda-Pepin is a Canadian Quebec politician and a former member of the National Assembly of Quebec, Canada.
- La Zarra, singer
- Hicham Bennir is a Canadian and Moroccan film director, cinematographer, editor, producer, writer and photographer. He was the winner of the world photo contest in 2009 and 2010.
- Rachid Badouri, comedian.
- Yassine Bounou, Moroccan footballer.
- Soufiane Chakkouche, writer and journalist
- Emmanuelle Chriqui, actress (Entourage, You Don't Mess with the Zohan).
- A-Trak, is a Canadian DJ, turntablist, record producer.
- Nadia Essadiqi, actress and singer.
- Adam Lamhamedi, Moroccan Canadian alpine skier; competed for Morocco at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Vaï, Moroccan-French Canadian rapper.
- Nora Fatehi, Bollywood actress and dancer.
- Imane Anys, better known as Pokimane, is a Twitch streamer and YouTuber.
- Faouzia, Moroccan Canadian singer.
- Hicham Nostik, Moroccan writer, YouTuber and podcaster.
See also
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Notes
- Religious breakdown proportions based on "Moroccan" ethnic or cultural origin response on the 2021 census.[6]
- Religious breakdown proportions based on "Moroccan" ethnic or cultural origin response on the 2001 census.[12]
