Throughout history, Coptic Canadians has been a topic of constant interest to humanity. From ancient times to the modern era, Coptic Canadians has captured the attention and curiosity of people of all cultures and nationalities. In this article, we will explore in depth all facets of Coptic Canadians, from its origins to its relevance today. Throughout the pages that follow, we will discover the importance of Coptic Canadians in different contexts and how it has influenced the way we perceive the world around us. So join us on this journey through the fascinating world of Coptic Canadians.
Total population | |
---|---|
22,570 (by religion, 2021 census) 35,000 (estimated by Canadian Coptic Association) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Ontario: Mississauga, Toronto (North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke), Hamilton, Kitchener; Quebec: Montreal, Laval, Quebec City; etc. | |
Ontario | 14,845 |
Quebec | 4,750 |
Languages | |
Canadian English · Canadian French Mainly older people: Arabic (Egyptian Arabic, Sudanese Arabic, Libyan Arabic) Liturgical: Coptic language. | |
Religion | |
Coptic Orthodoxy, Coptic Catholicism, Coptic Evangelical |
Copts in Canada are Canadian citizens of Coptic descent or people of Coptic descent residing in Canada.
According to the 2011 census, there were 3,570 Canadians who reported Coptic ancestry (this figure combines single and multiple ethnic origin responses). Of this number, 755 Canadians reported Coptic as their only ancestry, whereas 2,810 reported Coptic as one of multiple ancestries.
In the same survey, 16,255 Canadians said they belonged to the Coptic Orthodox Church. Of this number, 12,645 were immigrants and 3,365 were born in Canada.
The Canadian Coptic Association estimates that there are 35,000 Copts living in Canada; according to CBC News, "if other sects with strong ties to the Coptic community are included, the figure is possibly higher still." (Note: There is likely a typo in the CBC article where an extra zero was added, thereby erroneous stating that there are 350,000 Copts in Canada).
Toronto and the surrounding metropolitan region have the largest concentration of Copts in Canada.
The immigration of the Copts to Canada might have started as early as the late 1950s with most immigrants arriving in throughout the 1970s, from Egypt to Canada being mostly Christians who mostly left due to poverty in their home country and job opportunities.
In 1964, St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church was established in Toronto; this was the first Coptic church established in the Coptic diaspora.
In 2002, a survey showed 22 Coptic Orthodox parishes in Canada, indicating growth.
In 2011, there were five Coptic Orthodox churches in Montreal.