Cambodian Canadians

Cambodian Canadians

Total population
(34,340 (0.1% of Canada's population))
Regions with significant populations
Montreal, Quebec (6,110), Ontario, Alberta
Languages
Khmer, Quebec French, Cambodian French, Canadian English
Religion
majority: Theravada Buddhism, minority:Roman Catholic
Related ethnic groups
Cambodians, Cambodian Americans

Cambodian Canadians, also known as Khmer Canadians, are citizens living in Canada with Cambodian national origin or ancestry. In the 2011 census there was an estimate of 34,340 Cambodian Canadians living in Canada.

History

During the Khmer Rouge Era of 1975-1979 many Cambodians escaped to refugee camps in the neighboring countries of Thailand and Vietnam. Due to the mass amount of refugees, many Cambodians migrated to Canada, USA, France and Australia. In 1981 there were 13,000 Cambodian- Canadian Refugees. Most of the refugees fled to the major cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Quebec City. The Jane and Finch neighbourhood in Toronto has a large Cambodian population. Cambodians make up about 4% of the Jane and Finch community.

Demographics

Province or territory	Cambodian Canadians
Quebec	14,695
Ontario	12,620
Alberta	3,555
British Columbia	2,385
Saskatchewan	80
Manitoba	345
Newfoundland and Labrador	0
New Brunswick	0
Nova Scotia	10
Prince Edward Island	0
Yukon	0
Northwest Territories	0
Nunavut	0
Canada	34,340

Religion

Cambodians are commonly known as Theravada Buddhists. Ever since Cambodia was under French colonization, the amount of Christianity has increased. All year long Buddhists pray. The Khmer New Year lasts three days, and is usually on April 13. However many Cambodian-Canadians celebrate the Khmer New Year on the weekend. To celebrate, the Khmer people go pray at a Khmer Buddhist temple, offering food to the monks. Cambodians commonly know going to the temple as going to the "wat".

The religious festival of Pchum Ben, also known as Ancestor's Day, is the remembrance of the deceased. This is when many Cambodians pay their respects to deceased relatives. People cook meals for monks, bring offerings to the temple and throw rice near the temple early in the morning, believing that the ghosts of their ancestors will receive it.

Notable people

• Honey Cocaine, rapper
• Ellen Wong, actress

See also

• Cambodians in the Greater Toronto Area