Cambodian Canadians

Cambodian Canadians

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
Cambodian, Cambodian Americans

Cambodian Canadians are Cambodian citizens living in Canada with Cambodian origin or descent. In the 2006 census there was an estimate of 25,245 of Cambodian Canadians living inside 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 and Edmonton.

Demographics

Province/Territory	Amount of Cambodian Immigrants
British Columbia	1,480
Alberta	2,400
Saskatchewan	80
Manitoba	345
Ontario	7,654
Quebec	8,545
Newfoundland and Labordor	0
New Brunswick	0
Nova Scotia	10
Prince Edward Island	0
Yukon	0
Northwest Territories	0
Nunavut	0

Total Immigrant Population 20,505

Religion

Cambodians are commonly known as Theravada Buddhists. Ever since Cambodia was under French colonization, the amount of Christianity increased. All year long Buddhists pray. The Khmer New Year last 3 days in April. It 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 and celebrating the new year. Cambodians commonly know going to the temple as going to the "wat". The Religions festival of "Pchum Ben" or also known as "Ancestor's Day" in English is the remembrance of deceased. The day is a time 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.

References

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