Moroccan Canadians (Arabic: المغاربة في كندا, romanized: al-Maghāribah fī Kanadā) are Canadians of full or partial Moroccan descent, as well as people from the state of Morocco who are ethno-linguistic and religious minorities. According to the 2021 Census, there were 98,980 Canadians who claimed full or partial Moroccan ancestry, an increase compared to the 2006 Census.[1] A large minority of Moroccan Canadians are Moroccan Jews.[7]
History
Moroccans began arriving in Canada in the mid-1960s in search of employment and a new life. Between 1962 and 1993, 40,000 settled in Canada.[citation needed]
The next wave came in the late 1990s. Moroccan immigrants settled mainly in the province of Quebec, but there are also communities in Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Winnipeg.[citation needed]
At the 2001 Canadian Census, there were 21,355 Canadians who indicated Moroccan descent, with over 16,000, about 75% of the total population, residing in Montreal.[8]
Demography
Religion
The majority of Moroccan Canadians are Muslims and a large minority are Jews. Jews constitute between 27%[4][5] and 45% of Moroccan Canadians.[9]
Aldo Bensadoun, is a Canadian businessman, investor and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the Aldo Group, a worldwide retail shoe company.
Gad Elmaleh, is a Moroccan Canadian stand-up comedian actor and artist.
Hicham Bennir is a Canadian and Moroccan film director, cinematographer, editor, producer, writer and photographer. He was the winner of the world photo contest in 2009 and 2010.
^Powell, John. Encyclopedia of North American Immigration (Facts on File library of American history). Infobase Publishing. January 1, 2009. ISBN143811012X, 9781438110127. p. 195.
