Italian Immigrants to Canada
In 2023, 1,210 Italians were admitted to Canada as permanent residents
From 2010 to 2023, a total of 12,763 Italians were admitted to Canada as permanent residents.
In recent years, Italian immigration to Canada has significantly declined compared to the large waves of the mid-20th century, primarily due to improved economic conditions in Italy and changes in Canadian immigration policies. According to Statistics Canada, only 4,240 Italians were recent immigrants in 2021, a small fraction of the 204,065 Italian-born individuals living in Canada, most of whom arrived before 1980. Modern Italian immigrants, often skilled professionals or students like Aurora, a university instructor highlighted in a 2023 narrative, pursue opportunities in education and specialized fields, contrasting with the labor-driven migration of earlier decades. The International Experience Canada Program facilitates temporary stays for Italians under 35, but permanent residency applications have remained low, with just 823 new permanent residents from Italy in 2013, including 500 economic-class and 294 family-class immigrants.
Italian immigrants are among the largest foreign-born groups in Canada
According to the 2016 Census, Italian immigrants (236,635) are among the largest foreign-born groups in Canada.
Italian immigrants in Canada 2001 and 2011
In 2011, immigrants comprised 20.6% of Canada’s population; one in five people were immigrants.
The number of immigrants from Italy decreased 19% from 315,455 in 2001 to 256,825 in 2011, ranking Italian nationals as the 6th largest foreign-born group in Canada in 2011.
In 2011, about 67% of Italian immigrants resided in Ontario. In fact, the Greater Toronto Area alone was home to 105,060 Italians.
In 2011, Italians were the 4th largest foreign-born group in the Greater Toronto Area.
In 2011, 22% of Italian nationals resided in Quebec, 6% in British Columbia, 3% in Alberta.
NOTE:
This is the most recent data that allows us to make some “reasonable” comparisons. However, the accuracy might be questionable since the data comes from the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS). Please use it cautiously.
ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS IN CANADA (2016)
