How has immigration changed the ethnic makeup of Canada?

Immigration has fundamentally transformed Canada’s ethnic makeup, shifting the country from a population primarily of British and French descent to a diverse, multicultural society.12

At the time of the 1871 census, approximately half of the population was of British ancestry and nearly one-third was of French ancestry. Over time, these proportions have declined to about one-fourth each. This shift is the result of changing immigration patterns:1

• Post-World War II: Canada actively sought immigrants to expand its labor force, initially drawing large numbers from southern European countries like Italy, Greece, and Portugal.3
• Late 20th Century: Immigration expanded to include significant numbers of people from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with Asian immigration—particularly from China—increasing dramatically.41
• Current Demographics: By the early 21st century, about one-fifth of the population was foreign-born, with non-British settlers significantly outnumbering those of British origin. This diversity is also reflected in religious life, with sharp increases in the numbers of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists.25

Today, more than one-third of Canadians identify as having mixed or multiple ethnic origins.1