Hinduism in Canada

Overview

Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Canada. Many people in Canada follow this faith.

Most Hindu Canadians have roots in South Asia. Many families and communities find this religion very important.

Growth in Canada

Hinduism is growing fast in Canada. More and more people are becoming Hindu. Today, you can see Hindu temples, cultural centres, and happy festivals like Diwali and Holi. In 2022, the Canadian government named November as Hindu Heritage Month to celebrate the Hindu community.

History

People from India started coming to Canada around 1903-04. Early immigrants were often called "Hindus" even if they were from other backgrounds. These early South Asian immigrants faced unfair treatment and hostility, especially in British Columbia, which made many leave.

In the 1960s, Canada changed its rules to welcome more people from around the world. Many Hindus came from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, and other places. Some also arrived from countries like Mauritius, Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. They settled in cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver.

Today, Canadian Hindus come from three main groups. The first group is from India and other areas that were once under European rule. The second group is from Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Some Sri Lankan Tamils moved to Canada after conflicts in their country. The third group includes Canadians who joined Hindu traditions, such as followers of the Hare Krishna movement, especially in the Toronto area of Scarborough.

Canada also welcomed many Hindu refugees from Bhutan. By 2015, nearly 6,600 Bhutanese of Nepalese background had settled in Canada, with many living in Lethbridge.

Hindu population & demographics

Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Canada. In the 2021 census, about 2.3% of the country's people identified as Hindu. This means there were over 828,000 Hindu Canadians.

Many people from South Asia living in Canada also follow Hinduism. About 30% of South Asian Canadians consider themselves Hindu.

By province

The Hindu population in Canada according to the 2021 National Household Survey.

By major Census Metropolitan Areas (2021)

The Hindu population in Canada by major Census Metropolitan Areas according to the 2021 Census.

By federal electoral district (2024)

The Hindu population percentage in Canada by federal electoral district according to the 2021 Census.

Ontario

British Columbia

Alberta

Quebec

Manitoba

By ethnic origin (2021)

Temple societies

Main article: List of Hindu temples in Canada

Many communities in Canada have created over 1,000 temple groups that help bring people together. Some of these groups also started private schools that teach the Tamil language. This gives Hindu students another option besides regular school boards.

In 1967, the Hindu Sanstha of Nova Scotia became the first Hindu temple in Canada.

In 1972, the Aulds Cove Hindu Temple opened for families living in rural Nova Scotia.

The biggest Hindu temple in Canada is the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto. It has two main buildings: the mandir and the Haveli. The Haveli includes a large meeting hall, a library, a small prayer space, and a museum about Indo-Canadian culture. This temple was built following ancient Hindu building rules. It opened in 2007 and is very large.

Society

There are several groups that help support Hindu communities in Canada. The Hindu Canadian Foundation is an important group that speaks for many Hindus across the country. It helps people get involved, organizes events, and protects the interests of the Hindu community.

Surveys show that many Canadians view Hinduism positively, and many think its influence is growing in Canada. Hindu communities in Canada help people follow their religion while also offering education, support, and services. This helps people who move to Canada from other places feel more at home.

Canada has had Hindu members of Parliament and a Hindu senator, showing growing representation. However, even though Hindus make up a small part of Canada's population, they are still underrepresented in government, with only a few Hindu members elected to Parliament.

Anti Hindu sentiment in Canada

Some people in Canada have shown dislike toward Hindus, especially from groups supporting Khalistan. This has led to incidents where Hindu temples were damaged or marked with hurtful messages.

There have been reports of threats and attacks on Hindu temples and statues. In some cases, people were hurt during these events. Leaders in Canada have spoken out against these actions and asked for peace and safety for all communities.