Albanian Canadians

Albanian Canadians (Shqiptarë Kanadezë) are Canadian citizens of Albanian descent or Albanian people who are citizens of Canada. According to the 2011 Census there were 28,270 Canadians who claimed Albanian ancestry, an increase compared to the 22,395 in the 2006 Census.

History
The first Albanians who settled in Canada arrived in the early 20th century, due to internal uprisings that occurred in their country of origin. However, after World War II (1938–1943) very few Albanians moved to Canada, and most arrived from the former Yugoslavia, due to a communist regime in Albania, which prohibited foreign travel. Most Albanians who emigrated to Canada country after the war decided to settle in Montreal or Toronto. There were also some Albanian workers who resided in Calgary and Ontario (e.g. Peterborough). Despite this migration, by 1986, the number of Albanians was recorded at just under 1,500. However, in 1991, these figures nearly doubled. The number of Albanians in Canada peaked in the late 1990s as they fled economic and political crisis in both Albania and Yugoslavia.

At the beginning of the 21st century, a new war prompted a second wave of immigration of Albanians in Canada. This armed conflict was a clash between Albanian and Serb military and police, which caused many Albanians to feel compelled to leave Kosovo as refugees, many of them emigrating to Canada. Thus, in 1999, the Government of Canada established a residency program to allow 7,000 refugee Kosovar Albanians.

As with professionals from other countries, there has been a large influx of young Albanian professionals who immigrate to Canada for a better life.

Demography
According to the 2006 census, there were 22,395 people of ethnic Albanian descent living in Canada, most of whom 11,385 (51%) resided in Toronto. Hamilton, Kitchener, London, Ottawa and Peterborough are areas on the outskirts of Toronto which also have Albanian communities.

Most socio-cultural activities and festivals represent local communities and family groups. Albanians are very patriarchal and often live in extended family households. Albanian Canadians appreciate their ethnicity, and the national history of their country of origin, although their ancestors may have been gone from Albania for centuries. Albanians work on their business and social organizations, and are often found in the food industry. Albanians do not come only from Albania and Kosovo, as they come, at least, also from others five different countries: Macedonia, Greece, Italy, Serbia and Montenegro. The Albanian-Canadians belong (as the Albanians) to five religious groups – Christian (Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical) and Muslim (Sunni and Bektashi).

Organizations
Over the years, Albanian Canadians established many organizations in Canada, to maintain their language, traditions and culture. These association have also helped other immigrants adapt to Canadian life. Many of these partnerships are in Toronto, a major city of the Albanian population. In this city, the largest associations are the Albanian Muslim Society of Toronto (founded in 1954) and the Albanian-Canadian Community Association of Toronto (founded in 1990). There are also other notable organizations, such as the Albanian Canadian Organization of Ottawa. www.albcanorg.ca

Notable Albanian Canadians

 * Tie Domi - former hockey player, of Albanian descent
 * Arlind Ferhati - soccer player, born in Albania, emigrated to Canada at the age of 10
 * Ana Golja - actress, appears on Degrassi: The Next Generation, Toronto resident, of Albanian heritage (through both grandparents)
 * Ira Metani - author of Transforming Education: The Albanian Experience, Toronto resident, of Albanian heritage