South Asian Canadians

South Asian Canadians are people in Canada who were either born in or can trace their ancestry to South Asia or the Indian subcontinent. This area includes countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. It also includes immigrants from South Asian communities in places like East and South Africa, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Mauritius, and other parts of the world.

South Asian Canadians are a subgroup of Asian Canadian people. According to Statistics Canada, they can be divided by nationality, such as Indian Canadian, Pakistani Canadian, and Bangladeshi Canadian. In 2021, about 2.6 million Canadians had South Asian origins. This made up around 7.1 percent of Canada's total population and over a third of all Asian Canadian people.

South Asian Canadians are the largest visible minority group in Canada. Most of them live in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. The biggest communities are in cities like Toronto (with over 1 million people), Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Montréal. More than half of South Asian Canadians live in the areas around Toronto and Vancouver.

Terminology

In Canada, the word "Asian" talks about people from many places like East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, and West Asia. "South Asian" means people whose families come from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, or the Maldives.

People from South Asia in Canada might also be called by the names of their home countries or cultures, like Punjabi, Tamil, or Bengali. The word "East Indian" used to be common to talk about people from India, but now "South Asian" is used more often, especially in places like Toronto with many people from India. Words like Brown and Desi are also used but are not good for formal talks.

History

Late 19th century

The first South Asian Canadians arrived in 1897. Punjabi Sikh soldiers visited British Columbia while traveling from India to Britain for a celebration. Earlier records show South Asians were in Eastern Canada since the country’s beginning. This shows South Asians were part of Canada much earlier than many think.

Early 20th century

Punjabi Sikhs in Whitehorse, Yukon, April 1906

By 1900, about 100 South Asians lived in Canada. More arrived in the early 1900s, drawn by high wages in British Columbia. Many worked in mining, logging, and railroads, settling in areas like the British Columbia Interior, Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Fraser Valley.

In 1902, Punjabi Sikh settlers arrived in Golden, British Columbia, to work at a lumber company. They built the first Sikh temple in Canada in 1905.

Despite their contributions, South Asians faced unfair laws. In 1907, laws were passed that stopped them from voting, holding public office, or working in certain jobs. Many moved to the United States because of this.

To stop more South Asians from coming to Canada, a rule called the continuous journey regulation was made in 1908. This rule made it very hard for people from British India to come to Canada. By 1908, the South Asian population in Canada was about 5,179, but it dropped because of these rules.

Komagata Maru incident

Punjabi Sikhs in Vancouver, 1908

Because of the continuous journey regulation, a ship called the Komagata Maru tried to bring settlers from British India to Canada in 1914. The ship was not allowed to dock in Vancouver, and after a legal fight, it was forced to return to India. Only a few of the people on board were allowed to stay in Canada.

Mid-20th century

The unfair rules against South Asians stayed until 1947. In the 1950s, Canada started to change its immigration laws. In 1950, Naranjan Singh Grewall became the first South Asian elected to public office in Canada. He faced threats, but he continued to work hard for his community.

By the 1960s, more South Asians were arriving, especially from East Africa due to unfair treatment there. They settled in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Edmonton. Many were professionals who started businesses or worked in services.

Kitsilano Gurdwara, c. 1910

Late 20th century

In the 1980s, more South Asians came directly from countries like India. They formed communities in areas like Brampton, Mississauga, Scarborough, Markham, and Etobicoke in Toronto, and in South Vancouver, Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford in British Columbia.

In 1986, Moe Sihota became the first South Asian elected to a provincial parliament in Canada.

Many Tamils from Sri Lanka also came to Canada during this time because of a war in their country. By the 1990s, Canada had one of the largest Tamil communities outside of South Asia.

Punjabi Sikhs at a lumber camp, c. 1914

In 1990, Baltej Singh Dhillon, a Sikh, was allowed to wear his turban while serving in the police, which was very important to his faith.

21st century

In the 2000s, South Asians became one of the largest groups in Canada. Many came from India and Pakistan, and cities like Toronto became home to large communities. Cultural traditions like Bhangra music and Bollywood films became popular across Canada.

In 2015, many South Asians were elected as members of Parliament, showing growing involvement in Canadian politics. Unfortunately, in the 2020s, some people in Canada began treating South Asians unfairly.

South Asian Canadian population history
Year	Pop.	±%
1871	11	—
1901	100	+809.1%
1908	5,179	+5079.0%
1911	2,342	−54.8%
1921	1,016	−56.6%
1931	1,400	+37.8%
1941	1,465	+4.6%
1951	2,148	+46.6%
1961	6,774	+215.4%
1971	67,925	+902.7%
1981	223,235	+228.6%
1986	314,305	+40.8%
1991	505,515	+60.8%
1996	723,345	+43.1%
2001	963,190	+33.2%
2006	1,316,770	+36.7%
2011	1,615,925	+22.7%
2016	1,963,330	+21.5%
2021	2,571,400	+31.0%
Source: Statistics Canada ^: 35^: 15^: 16^: 353^: 225^: 236^: 503 ^: 272^: 2^: 484^: 5^: 2^: 26^: 31&68^: 34^: 47 ^: 68^: 11

Culture

Sports

Demography

Reports from 1908 showed that Canadians from India numbered 5,179, mostly Sikh men living in British Columbia. Strict laws later reduced this number. By 1961, the South Asian Canadian population grew to 6,774. After rules opened up in the 1960s, the population became more diverse.

The 2021 census reported 2,322,895 Canadians with South Asian origins. This growth is mostly due to ongoing immigration from South Asian countries. A 2022 study expects this number to rise by 2041.

Until the 1950s, most South Asian Canadians were Sikh. But by the 2011 census, Hindus became the largest group. A study found South Asian Canadians followed many religions, including Sikh, Hindu, Muslim, and Christian. Other religions like Jainism, Buddhism, and Zoroastrianism made up the rest.

Provinces and territories

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto

Religious groups differ by province. In British Columbia, Sikhs are the largest group. In Ontario, Hindus and Muslims are more common.

Metropolitan areas

Metropolitan areas also show varied religious groups.

Largest religion followed by South Asians by province/territory, 2021 census

Language

Knowledge of language

Many South Asian Canadians speak Canadian English or French as their first language. The most common South Asian languages spoken include Hindustani, Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali, Malayalam, Telugu, Marathi, and Sinhalese.

Largest South Asian language spoken (besides Hindustani) in Canada by census division, 2021 census

Mother tongue

Generation status

A large part of the South Asian Canadian community are first-generation. Second-generation makes up most of the rest, and only a small part are third or more generations.

Place of birth

South Asian Canadian population history (1871−2021)
Year	Population	% of total population
1871	11	0.0003%
1901	>100	0.002%
1908	5,179	0.078%
1911 ^: 354	2,342	0.032%
1921 ^: 356	1,016	0.012%
1931 ^: 503	1,400	0.013%
1941 ^: 272^: 2	1,465	0.013%
1951 ^: 484	2,148	0.015%
1961 ^: 5	6,774	0.037%
1971 ^: 2	67,925	0.315%
1981 ^: 7^: 68	223,235	0.927%
1986 ^: 34^: 31	314,305	1.256%
1991 ^: 68^: 11	505,515	1.873%
1996	723,345	2.536%
2001	963,190	3.25%
2006	1,316,770	4.215%
2011	1,615,925	4.919%
2016	1,963,330	5.697%
2021	2,571,400	7.078%

South Asian Canadians demography by national origin (1996–2021)
National origin	2021		2016		2011		2006		2001		1996
National origin	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
India	1,858,755	72.29%	1,582,215	80.59%	1,321,360	81.77%	1,072,380	81.44%	813,730	84.48%	638,345	88.25%
Pakistan	303,260	11.79%	215,560	10.98%	155,310	9.61%	124,730	9.47%	74,015	7.68%	38,655	5.34%
Sri Lanka	144,490	5.62%	152,595	7.77%	139,415	8.63%	103,625	7.87%	61,315	6.37%	46,585	6.44%
Bangladesh	75,425	2.93%	45,940	2.34%	34,205	2.12%	24,595	1.87%	13,080	1.36%	6,955	0.96%
Nepal	21,975	0.85%	17,140	0.87%	9,780	0.61%	3,780	0.29%	1,170	0.12%	—N/a	—N/a
Bhutan	3,215	0.13%	3,600	0.18%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Total South Asian Canadian population	2,571,400	100%	1,963,330	100%	1,615,925	100%	1,316,770	100%	963,190	100%	723,345	100%
Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses

South Asian Canadian demography by religion (1981–2021)
Religious group	2021		2011		2001		1991^: 209		1981^: 40
Religious group	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Hinduism	768,785	29.9%	455,840	29.1%	260,535	28.4%	120,585	28.7%	53,490	27.2%
Sikhism	761,960	29.6%	447,330	28.5%	272,220	29.7%	134,790	32.1%	61,785	31.5%
Islam	595,085	23.1%	383,365	24.5%	212,805	23.2%	90,890	21.6%	41,310	21%
Christianity	245,035	9.5%	185,345	11.8%	124,320	13.6%	54,960	13.1%	29,760	15.2%
Irreligion	156,855	6.1%	67,405	4.3%	30,610	3.3%	12,095	2.9%	6,045	3.1%
Buddhism	27,885	1.1%	17,685	1.1%	8,630	0.9%	2,960	0.7%	1,020	0.5%
Jainism	8,100	0.3%	—N/a	—N/a	2,385	0.3%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Zoroastrianism	3,630	0.1%	—N/a	—N/a	2,900	0.3%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Judaism	1,270	0.05%	1,105	0.07%	660	0.07%	70	0.02%	100	0.05%
Baháʼí	440	0.02%	—N/a	—N/a	400	0.04%	80	0.02%	15	0.01%
Indigenous	115	0.004%	—N/a	—N/a	585	0.1%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Other	2,240	0.1%	9,325	0.6%	1,025	0.1%	3,865	0.9%	105	0.1%
Total responses	2,571,400	100%	1,567,400	97%	917,075	95.2%	420,295	83.1%	196,395	88%
Total South Asian Canadian population	2,571,400	100%	1,615,920	100%	963,190	100%	505,515	100%	223,235	100%

Religious affiliation amongst South Asian Canadians by province and territory (2021)
Province/territory	Hinduism		Sikhism		Islam		Christianity		Irreligion		Buddhism		Jainism		Others		Total
Province/territory	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Ontario	529,200	34.92%	296,215	19.55%	412,500	27.22%	169,100	11.16%	81,200	5.36%	16,045	1.06%	6,050	0.4%	4,990	0.33%	1,515,295	58.93%
British Columbia	75,935	16.02%	287,940	60.75%	44,690	9.43%	21,740	4.59%	38,560	8.14%	3,100	0.65%	720	0.15%	1,275	0.27%	473,970	18.43%
Alberta	74,420	25%	102,520	34.44%	72,005	24.19%	25,020	8.41%	17,820	5.99%	4,510	1.52%	570	0.19%	780	0.26%	297,650	11.58%
Quebec	43,755	34.18%	22,510	17.59%	35,880	28.03%	13,705	10.71%	9,860	7.7%	1,680	1.31%	260	0.2%	340	0.27%	127,995	4.98%
Manitoba	17,510	24.59%	35,125	49.32%	8,630	12.12%	4,815	6.76%	3,685	5.17%	1,185	1.66%	195	0.27%	80	0.11%	71,215	2.77%
Saskatchewan	13,795	30.84%	8,860	19.81%	15,040	33.63%	4,050	9.06%	2,025	4.53%	745	1.67%	160	0.36%	50	0.11%	44,725	1.74%
Nova Scotia	8,145	37.62%	4,605	21.27%	2,755	12.73%	3,625	16.74%	2,015	9.31%	345	1.59%	95	0.44%	70	0.32%	21,650	0.84%
New Brunswick	3,180	36.85%	1,725	19.99%	1,605	18.6%	1,175	13.62%	760	8.81%	90	1.04%	20	0.23%	80	0.93%	8,630	0.34%
Newfoundland and Labrador	1,150	25.27%	845	18.57%	1,240	27.25%	755	16.59%	435	9.56%	100	2.2%	10	0.22%	10	0.22%	4,550	0.18%
Prince Edward Island	1,190	31.82%	1,130	30.21%	320	8.56%	750	20.05%	265	7.09%	65	1.74%	15	0.4%	10	0.27%	3,740	0.15%
Yukon	260	25.12%	385	37.2%	130	12.56%	150	14.49%	105	10.14%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	1,035	0.04%
Northwest Territories	195	25.16%	110	14.19%	225	29.03%	130	16.77%	95	12.26%	10	1.29%	0	0%	10	1.29%	775	0.03%
Nunavut	55	30.56%	10	5.56%	65	36.11%	20	11.11%	30	16.67%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	180	0.01%
Canada	768,785	29.9%	761,960	29.63%	595,085	23.14%	245,035	9.53%	156,855	6.1%	27,885	1.08%	8,100	0.32%	7,695	0.3%	2,571,400	100%

Religious affiliation amongst South Asian Canadians by metropolitan areas (2021)
Metropolitan area	Hinduism		Sikhism		Islam		Christianity		Irreligion		Buddhism		Jainism		Others		Total
Metropolitan area	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Toronto	420,020	35.52%	241,160	20.39%	322,510	27.27%	123,905	10.48%	55,035	4.65%	11,020	0.93%	4,870	0.41%	3,965	0.34%	1,182,485	45.99%
Vancouver	62,065	16.81%	219,960	59.56%	39,475	10.69%	15,830	4.29%	27,665	7.49%	2,690	0.73%	620	0.17%	990	0.27%	369,290	14.36%
Calgary	33,340	21.76%	55,500	36.23%	43,355	28.3%	9,705	6.33%	8,940	5.84%	1,700	1.11%	270	0.18%	385	0.25%	153,205	5.96%
Edmonton	33,710	27.33%	44,020	35.69%	24,310	19.71%	11,720	9.5%	6,880	5.58%	2,230	1.81%	240	0.19%	225	0.18%	123,335	4.8%
Montreal	42,285	34.87%	22,185	18.3%	34,670	28.59%	11,875	9.79%	8,160	6.73%	1,540	1.27%	260	0.21%	280	0.23%	121,260	4.72%
Winnipeg	14,160	22.19%	33,105	51.88%	8,070	12.65%	3,815	5.98%	3,275	5.13%	1,165	1.83%	155	0.24%	65	0.1%	63,810	2.48%
Ottawa–Gatineau	20,480	33.7%	6,520	10.73%	17,790	29.27%	7,645	12.58%	6,400	10.53%	1,385	2.28%	280	0.46%	295	0.49%	60,780	2.36%
Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo	18,180	32.87%	12,095	21.87%	15,615	28.23%	5,180	9.37%	3,275	5.92%	605	1.09%	220	0.4%	130	0.24%	55,305	2.15%
Abbotsford–Mission	3,860	7.74%	41,325	82.92%	1,105	2.22%	1,205	2.42%	2,290	4.59%	40	0.08%	0	0%	20	0.04%	49,840	1.94%
Hamilton	13,895	29.17%	9,400	19.73%	14,125	29.65%	5,685	11.93%	3,450	7.24%	730	1.53%	210	0.44%	135	0.28%	47,635	1.85%
Oshawa	14,680	39.07%	1,510	4.02%	12,665	33.71%	5,945	15.82%	2,185	5.82%	440	1.17%	80	0.21%	65	0.17%	37,570	1.46%
London	8,765	30.99%	4,195	14.83%	6,535	23.1%	6,000	21.21%	1,925	6.81%	630	2.23%	115	0.41%	120	0.42%	28,285	1.1%
Windsor	7,045	34.22%	4,325	21.01%	6,235	30.29%	1,605	7.8%	1,125	5.47%	195	0.95%	35	0.17%	20	0.1%	20,585	0.8%
Regina	6,435	33.02%	4,380	22.47%	6,010	30.84%	1,480	7.59%	785	4.03%	255	1.31%	115	0.59%	20	0.1%	19,490	0.76%
Saskatoon	5,165	26.66%	3,275	16.9%	8,100	41.81%	1,510	7.79%	845	4.36%	435	2.25%	30	0.15%	15	0.08%	19,375	0.75%
Halifax	6,620	39.29%	3,480	20.65%	2,465	14.63%	2,440	14.48%	1,440	8.55%	265	1.57%	90	0.53%	45	0.27%	16,850	0.66%
Victoria	2,965	21.61%	5,135	37.43%	1,270	9.26%	1,330	9.69%	2,700	19.68%	170	1.24%	50	0.36%	95	0.69%	13,720	0.53%
St. Catharines–Niagara	3,245	25.42%	2,110	16.53%	3,580	28.05%	2,250	17.63%	1,285	10.07%	170	1.33%	100	0.78%	20	0.16%	12,765	0.5%
Guelph	3,830	33.55%	2,460	21.55%	2,785	24.4%	1,230	10.78%	740	6.48%	255	2.23%	55	0.48%	55	0.48%	11,415	0.44%
Barrie	2,535	32.17%	1,260	15.99%	2,060	26.14%	1,380	17.51%	10	6.92%	75	0.95%	10	0.13%	10	0.13%	7,880	0.31%
Canada	768,785	29.9%	761,960	29.63%	595,085	23.14%	245,035	9.53%	156,855	6.1%	27,885	1.08%	8,100	0.32%	7,695	0.3%	2,571,400	100%

Knowledge of South Asian languages in Canada (2011−2021)
Language	2021		2016		2011
Language	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Hindustani	1,176,295	3.24%	755,585	2.19%	576,165	1.74%
Punjabi	942,170	2.59%	668,240	1.94%	545,730	1.65%
Tamil	237,890	0.65%	189,860	0.55%	179,465	0.54%
Gujarati	209,410	0.58%	149,045	0.43%	118,950	0.36%
Bengali	120,605	0.33%	91,220	0.26%	69,490	0.21%
Malayalam	77,910	0.21%	37,810	0.11%	22,125	0.07%
Telugu	54,685	0.15%	23,160	0.07%	12,645	0.04%
Marathi	35,230	0.1%	15,570	0.05%	9,695	0.03%
Sinhalese	33,050	0.09%	27,825	0.08%	23,965	0.07%
Pashto	31,700	0.09%	23,180	0.07%	16,515	0.05%
Nepali	30,660	0.08%	21,380	0.06%	11,450	0.03%
Kannada	18,420	0.05%	8,245	0.02%	5,210	0.02%
Kacchi	15,085	0.04%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Konkani	8,950	0.02%	6,790	0.02%	5,785	0.02%
Sindhi	8,385	0.02%	20,260	0.06%	15,525	0.05%
Oriya	3,235	0.01%	1,535	0.004%	—N/a	—N/a
Kashmiri	1,830	0.01%	905	0.003%	—N/a	—N/a
Tulu	1,765	0.005%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Assamese	1,155	0.003%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Baluchi	985	0.003%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Rohingya	765	0.002%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Other	12,290	0.03%	9,665	0.03%	8,615	0.03%
Total Canada	3,022,470	8.32%	2,050,275	5.95%	1,621,330	4.9%

Place of birth of South Asian Canadians
Region	2021		2016		2011		2006		2001		1996		1986^: 279		1961^: 430		1931^: 245^: 813
Region	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Southern Asia	1,614,540	62.79%	1,119,430	58.16%	854,935	54.54%	683,635	55.43%	479,790	52.32%	336,655	46.54%	142,365	47.36%	—N/a	—N/a	1,120	80%
Canada	737,760	28.69%	593,885	30.86%	484,140	30.89%	345,970	28.05%	265,160	28.91%	217,030	30%	85,810	28.54%	2,627	38.78%	230	16.43%
Africa	54,700	2.13%	54,260	2.82%	50,120	3.2%	50,435	4.09%	49,635	5.41%	48,045	6.64%	30,740	10.23%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Western Asia & Central Asia	41,910	1.63%	31,665	1.65%	25,210	1.61%	18,750	1.52%	13,345	1.46%	5,525	0.76%	1,160	0.39%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Central America & South America	27,420	1.07%	33,730	1.75%	36,095	2.3%	36,175	2.93%	29,880	3.26%	39,600	5.47%	15,020	5%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Northern Europe & Western Europe	24,815	0.97%	21,345	1.11%	16,860	1.08%	14,640	1.19%	13,160	1.43%	13,290	1.84%	8,745	2.91%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Oceania	19,180	0.75%	23,480	1.22%	22,305	1.42%	21,410	1.74%	20,990	2.29%	15,775	2.18%	5,700	1.9%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
North America	18,980	0.74%	12,725	0.66%	7,825	0.5%	5,245	0.43%	3,040	0.33%	1,645	0.23%	865	0.29%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Caribbean	13,800	0.54%	20,060	1.04%	21,750	1.39%	22,810	1.85%	14,425	1.57%	24,165	3.34%	7,165	2.38%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Southeast Asia	12,585	0.49%	10,440	0.54%	9,165	0.58%	7,890	0.64%	7,175	0.78%	4,670	0.65%	2,015	0.67%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Southern Europe	2,505	0.1%	1,150	0.06%	275	0.02%	345	0.03%	290	0.03%	200	0.03%	80	0.03%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Eastern Asia	2,405	0.09%	2,035	0.11%	1,710	0.11%	1,075	0.09%	1,185	0.13%	865	0.12%	425	0.14%	—N/a	—N/a	16	1.14%
Eastern Europe	810	0.03%	415	0.02%	335	0.02%	185	0.02%	170	0.02%	75	0.01%	40	0.01%	—N/a	—N/a	11	0.79%
Other or Unspecified	0	0%	0	0%	36,615	2.34%	24,700	2%	18,825	2.05%	15,810	2.19%	495	0.16%	4,147	61.22%	23	1.64%
Native born	737,760	28.69%	593,885	30.86%	484,140	30.89%	345,970	28.05%	265,160	28.91%	217,030	30%	85,810	28.54%	2,627	38.78%	230	16.43%
Foreign born	1,833,640	71.31%	1,330,750	69.14%	1,083,265	69.11%	887,305	71.95%	651,910	71.09%	506,320	70%	214,820	71.46%	4,147	61.22%	1,170	83.57%
Total responses	2,571,400	100%	1,924,635	98.03%	1,567,405	97%	1,233,275	93.66%	917,075	95.21%	723,345	100%	300,630	95.65%	6,774	100%	1,400	100%
Total population	2,571,400	100%	1,963,330	100%	1,615,925	100%	1,316,770	100%	963,190	100%	723,345	100%	314,305	100%	6,774	100%	1,400	100%

Geographical distribution

The 2021 census showed that Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba had the largest numbers of South Asian Canadians.

Canadian provinces and territories by their ethnic South Asian population as per the 2001 Canadian census, 2006 Canadian census, 2011 Canadian census, 2016 Canadian census, and 2021 Canadian census below.

When rules about who could come to Canada changed in the 1960s, many more South Asians came to live there. The number of South Asian Canadians grew quickly from 67,925 in 1971 to 723,345 in 1996. This happened because many people moved to Canada.

Because of this, Ontario became the province with the most South Asian Canadians by 1971. The South Asian population in Ontario grew from 30,920 in 1971 to 427,470 in 1996. In British Columbia, it grew from 18,795 in 1971 to 165,010 in 1996.

During this time, British Columbia kept the highest percentage of South Asian Canadians. It went from 0.9% in 1971 to 4.5% in 1996. In Ontario, the percentage went from 0.4% in 1971 to 4.0% in 1996.

Canadian provinces and territories by their ethnic South Asian population as per the 1971 Canadian census, 1981 Canadian census, 1986 Canadian census, 1991 Canadian census and 1996 Canadian census below.

Before the 1960s, rules made it hard for South Asians to live in Canada. Only British Columbia had many South Asians during the early-to-mid 1900s. In 1908, about 5,209 South Asians lived there, which was 1.6% of the province's population.

Tougher rules, troubles, and moving to other places caused the number to go down. In 1911, only 2,292 South Asians lived in British Columbia, which was 0.6% of the province's population.

The number went down again in the next 10 years to 951 South Asians in British Columbia, or 0.2% of the population, in 1921. For the next 30 years, the number stayed about the same or grew very slowly. This was because very few South Asians could move to Canada after 1908 because of the Continuous journey regulation.

South Asian percent in Canadian province/territory, 2021 census

In the 1950s, new rules allowed more South Asians to come to Canada and join family members. This caused the first big increase in the South Asian Canadian population since before 1908.

Canadian provinces and territories by their ethnic South Asian population as per the 1871 Canadian census, 1911 Canadian census, 1921 Canadian census, 1931 Canadian census, 1941 Canadian census, 1951 Canadian census, and 1961 Canadian census below.

The 2021 census showed that large South Asian Canadian communities live in metropolitan areas like Toronto (1,182,485), Vancouver (369,295), Calgary (153,200), Edmonton (123,340), Montréal (121,260), Winnipeg (63,805), and Ottawa (60,780).

Canadian metropolitan areas by their ethnic South Asian population as per the 2011 Canadian census, 2016 Canadian census, and 2021 Canadian census below.

The 2021 census showed that places with the largest South Asian Canadian communities include Brampton, Ontario (52.4%); Surrey, British Columbia (37.8%); Abbotsford, British Columbia (30.2%); Milton, Ontario (28.2%); Ajax, Ontario (26.2%); Delta, British Columbia (26.1%); Mississauga, Ontario (25.4%); Caledon, Ontario (21.4%); Pickering, Ontario (21.2%); and Chestermere, Alberta (20.3%). As of the 2021 census, Brampton is the first (and only) South Asian–majority city in Canada.

Source: 2021 Canadian census
National average: 7.1%

Subdivisions

Alberta

Chestermere (20.3%)
Edmonton (11.5%)
Calgary (11.0%)
Beaumont (7.8%)

British Columbia

Surrey (37.8%)
Abbotsford (30.2%)
Delta (26.1%)
Okanagan-Similkameen Subdivision A (15.8%)
Okanagan-Similkameen Subdivision C (14.5%)
Cawston (12.7%)
Fraser Valley Subdivision G (12.1%)
Mission (10.7%)
New Westminster (10.4%)
Burnaby (9.4%)
Oliver (9.4%)
McBride (8.0%)
White Rock (7.6%)
Richmond (7.4%)
Fraser Valley Subdivision F (7.3%)

Surrey has the highest percentage of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia at 37.8% of the population.

Abbotsford has the second-highest percentage of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia at 30.2% of the population.

Delta has the third-highest percentage of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia at 26.1% of the population.

Okanagan-Similkameen Subdivision A has the fourth-highest percentage of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia at 15.8% of the population.

Okanagan-Similkameen Subdivision C has the fifth-highest percentage of South Asian Canadians in British Columbia at 14.5% of the population.

Historical

South Asian Canadians were up to 22% of the population in Fort St. James during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 14% of the population in Quesnel during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 13% of the population in Lake Cowichan during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 13% of the population in Merritt during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 12% of the population in Williams Lake during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 10% of the population in Tahsis during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 10% of the population in 100 Mile House during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 9% of the population in Golden during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 9% of the population in Squamish during the mid-to-late 20th century.

South Asian Canadians were up to 9% of the population in Lillooet during the mid-to-late 20th century.

Manitoba

Thompson (9.3%)
Winnipeg (8.5%)
West St. Paul (7.6%)

Ontario

Brampton (52.4%)
Milton (28.2%)
Ajax (26.2%)
Mississauga (25.4%)
Caledon (21.4%)
Pickering (21.2%)
Markham (17.6%)
Toronto (14.0%)
Whitchurch-Stouffville (13.8%)
Oakville (13.5%)
Whitby (12.0%)
Cambridge (11.7%)
Vaughan (11.2%)
Waterloo (10.7%)
Kitchener (9.9%)
Oshawa (9.3%)
Bradford West Gwillimbury (9.0%)
Pickle Lake (8.9%)
Mono (7.8%)
Richmond Hill (7.6%)
Guelph (7.4%)
Shelburne (7.2%)
Puslinch (7.1%)
Windsor (7.1%)

Québec

Saskatchewan

Regina (8.6%)
Saskatoon (7.2%)

South Asian Canadians by province and territory (2001−2021)
Province/territory	2021		2016		2011		2006		2001
Province/territory	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Ontario	1,515,295	10.8%	1,182,845	8.93%	1,003,180	7.93%	833,315	6.93%	592,500	5.25%
British Columbia	473,970	9.64%	365,705	8.02%	313,440	7.25%	265,595	6.52%	210,420	5.44%
Alberta	297,650	7.12%	231,550	5.82%	159,055	4.46%	107,690	3.31%	72,415	2.46%
Quebec	127,995	1.54%	95,670	1.2%	91,395	1.18%	76,990	1.04%	62,585	0.88%
Manitoba	71,215	5.45%	43,150	3.48%	26,220	2.23%	17,800	1.57%	14,135	1.28%
Saskatchewan	44,725	4.05%	29,960	2.8%	12,620	1.25%	5,510	0.58%	4,220	0.44%
Nova Scotia	21,650	2.26%	8,495	0.94%	5,935	0.65%	4,830	0.53%	3,515	0.39%
New Brunswick	8,630	1.14%	2,970	0.41%	3,090	0.42%	2,560	0.36%	1,720	0.24%
Newfoundland and Labrador	4,550	0.91%	2,740	0.53%	2,000	0.39%	1,755	0.35%	1,110	0.22%
Prince Edward Island	3,740	2.49%	975	0.7%	500	0.36%	255	0.19%	140	0.1%
Northwest Territories	775	1.92%	615	1.5%	200	0.49%	210	0.51%	200	0.54%
Yukon	1,035	2.61%	500	1.42%	365	1.1%	200	0.66%	205	0.72%
Nunavut	180	0.49%	130	0.37%	115	0.36%	85	0.29%	30	0.11%
Canada	2,571,400	7.08%	1,963,330	5.7%	1,615,925	4.92%	1,316,770	4.21%	963,190	3.25%

South Asian Canadians by province and territory (1971−1996)
Province/territory	1996		1991^: 68		1986^: 34		1981^: 7		1971^: 2
Province/territory	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Ontario	427,470	4.02%	285,600	2.86%	161,395	1.79%	93,990	1.1%	30,920	0.4%
British Columbia	165,010	4.47%	118,200	3.64%	78,810	2.77%	56,210	2.07%	18,795	0.86%
Alberta	56,195	2.11%	46,095	1.83%	34,645	1.48%	21,440	0.97%	4,400	0.27%
Quebec	50,645	0.72%	34,305	0.5%	21,485	0.33%	14,150	0.22%	6,510	0.11%
Manitoba	12,905	1.17%	10,870	1.01%	8,855	0.84%	5,055	0.5%	3,205	0.32%
Saskatchewan	3,985	0.41%	3,695	0.38%	4,165	0.42%	2,200	0.23%	1,625	0.18%
Nova Scotia	3,810	0.42%	2,790	0.31%	2,450	0.28%	1,685	0.2%	1,345	0.17%
New Brunswick	1,565	0.21%	975	0.14%	950	0.14%	720	0.1%	465	0.07%
Newfoundland and Labrador	1,060	0.19%	1,090	0.19%	860	0.15%	725	0.13%	460	0.09%
Prince Edward Island	195	0.15%	210	0.16%	255	0.2%	75	0.06%	135	0.12%
Northwest Territories	280	0.44%	220	0.38%	100	0.19%	55	0.12%	55	0.16%
Yukon	225	0.73%	80	0.29%	70	0.3%	85	0.37%	15	0.08%
Canada	723,345	2.54%	505,515^: 11	1.87%	314,305^: 31	1.26%	223,235^: 68	0.93%	67,925	0.31%

South Asian Canadians by province and territory (1871−1961)
Province/territory	1961^: 5		1951^: 484		1941^: 272^: 2		1931^: 503		1921^: 356		1911^: 354		1871
Province/territory	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
British Columbia	4,526	0.28%	1,937	0.17%	1,343	0.16%	1,283	0.18%	951	0.18%	2,292	0.58%	—N/a	—N/a
Ontario	1,155	0.02%	76	0%	21	0%	43	0%	28	0%	17	0%	8	0%
Quebec	483	0.01%	61	0%	29	0%	17	0%	11	0%	14	0%	0	0%
Alberta	208	0.02%	27	0%	48	0.01%	33	0%	10	0%	3	0%	—N/a	—N/a
Manitoba	198	0.02%	15	0%	7	0%	13	0%	8	0%	13	0%	—N/a	—N/a
Saskatchewan	115	0.01%	5	0%	2	0%	7	0%	6	0%	0	0%	—N/a	—N/a
Nova Scotia	46	0.01%	23	0%	15	0%	3	0%	0	0%	0	0%	3	0%
New Brunswick	22	0%	1	0%	0	0%	1	0%	1	0%	2	0%	0	0%
Newfoundland and Labrador	17	0%	2	0%	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a	—N/a
Northwest Territories	2	0.01%	1	0.01%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	—N/a	—N/a
Prince Edward Island	1	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	—N/a	—N/a
Yukon	1	0.01%	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	1	0.02%	1	0.01%	—N/a	—N/a
Canada	6,774	0.04%	2,148	0.02%	1,465	0.01%	1,400	0.01%	1,016	0.01%	2,342	0.03%	11	0.0003%

South Asian Canadians by metropolitan areas (2011−2021)
Metro area	Province	2021		2016		2011
Metro area	Province	Pop.	%	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Toronto	Ontario	1,182,485	19.25%	995,125	16.97%	833,080	15.09%
Vancouver	British Columbia	369,295	14.17%	291,005	11.99%	252,400	11.07%
Calgary	Alberta	153,200	10.46%	122,900	8.94%	84,870	7.08%
Edmonton	Alberta	123,340	8.82%	91,600	7.06%	61,135	5.36%
Montreal	Quebec	121,260	2.88%	90,815	2.26%	79,540	2.12%
Winnipeg	Manitoba	63,805	7.78%	38,910	5.11%	23,175	3.24%
Ottawa-Gatineau	Ontario-Quebec	60,780	4.15%	42,310	3.25%	34,790	2.86%
Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo	Ontario	55,305	9.74%	27,525	5.33%	20,910	4.45%
Abbotsford-Mission	British Columbia	49,835	25.94%	38,250	21.69%	32,245	19.35%
Hamilton	Ontario	47,630	6.16%	32,720	4.45%	23,765	3.36%

Immigration

In the early 1900s, rules like the continuous journey regulation made it hard for people from South Asia to come to Canada. This changed in the 1960s, and more people from places like the Indian subcontinent, Africa, the Caribbean, and Fiji began to move to Canada. By 2012, India was the third biggest country sending people to Canada, after the Philippines and China. Pakistan was fourth, Sri Lanka was seventeenth, Bangladesh was nineteenth, and Nepal was thirty-eighth. People also came from the Arab States of the Persian Gulf and other areas.

Traditionally, many people settled in British Columbia. But starting in the 1970s, more chose Ontario because of more jobs there. Lately, Alberta has also become a popular place to live because of its strong economy and job opportunities.

Admissions of Permanent Residents by Country of Citizenship, 1980 - 2019
Year	India	Pakistan	Bangladesh	Sri Lanka	Nepal	Total
1980	8 880	978	83	185	1	10 127
1981	8 670	972	84	371	1	10 098
1982	8 148	1 201	86	290	6	9 731
1983	7 338	900	81	197	1	8 517
1984	5 704	668	98	1 086	2	7 558
1985	4 211	514	92	845	4	5 666
1986	7 151	691	486	1 838	13	10 179
1987	10 189	1 072	503	4 447	6	16 217
1988	11 522	1 334	476	2 779	13	16 124
1989	10 343	2 261	387	2 758	4	15 753
1990	12 041	2 470	611	3 525	23	18 670
1991	13 733	3 079	1 115	7 266	29	25 222
1992	13 673	4 071	1 655	13 102	32	32 533
1993	21 496	4 777	1 280	9 563	40	37 156
1994	18 620	4 666	1 361	7 150	31	31 828
1995	18 488	4 994	2 042	9 368	66	34 958
1996	23 859	9 125	2 824	6 484	132	42 424
1997	22 268	13 073	3 378	5 415	155	44 289
1998	17 241	9 068	2 202	3 566	104	32 181
1999	18 974	9 979	2 064	4 982	157	36 156
2000	28 535	15 395	3 117	6 077	236	53 360
2001	31 204	16 705	3 832	5 860	272	57 873
2002	31 894	15 092	2 944	5 272	363	55 565
2003	27 135	13 204	2 138	4 886	312	47 675
2004	28 199	13 399	2 660	4 489	403	49 150
2005	36 179	14 314	4 171	4 918	607	60 189
2006	33 773	13 128	4 012	4 651	540	56 104
2007	28 731	10 123	2 897	4 097	511	46 359
2008	28 257	8 984	2 939	4 751	581	45 512
2009	29 452	7 215	2 106	4 543	561	43 877
2010	34 226	6 812	4 721	4 420	1 392	51 571
2011	27 488	7 467	2 694	3 310	1 129	42 088
2012	30 920	11 208	2 634	3 338	1 185	49 285
2013	33 078	12 611	3 792	2 394	1 308	53 183
2014	38 330	9 113	2 233	2 604	1 219	53 499
2015	39 340	11 295	3 305	1 785	1 525	57 250
2016	39 705	11 350	3 230	1 535	755	56 575
2017	51 590	7 655	3 190	2 150	1 110	65 695
2018	69 980	9 490	3 205	2 165	1 400	86 240
2019	85 585	10 790	3 395	2 235	1 410	103 415
2020	42 885	6 230	1 615	1 010	570	52 310
Total	1,059,035	307,473	85,738	161,707	18,209	1,632,162