Portuguese Canadians
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portuguese Canadians are Canadians of Portuguese descent. According to StatCan, in 2001, there were 357,690 persons of Portuguese descent living in Canada, or 1.2% of the nation's total population. Most Portuguese Canadians live in Ontario (69%), followed by Québec (14%) and British Columbia (8%)[3].
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[edit] History of Portuguese in Canada
The Portuguese Canadian community chose 2003 as the year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their officially-sponsored immigration to Canada. The Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Minister Responsible for Canada Post, said that "the Portuguese Canadian community is a vibrant group that enriches the Canadian mosaic with its history, language, culture and work ethic." He added that Canada Post was proud to be issuing a stamp honouring Portuguese Canadians during the month of June when cultural celebrations honouring the life of 16th century poet Luís de Camões, considered to be Portugal's greatest poet, are taking place in many communities across the country.
Portugal played a pioneering role in the explorations of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries. In the 15th century, Prince Henry of Portugal, better known as Henry the Navigator, established a school of navigation in Sagres, in the Algarve region of Portugal. From this school emerged explorers who found their way to the Indies, South America, North America and Africa, including Gaspar Corte Real who was one of the earliest discoverers of Canada. Corte Real explored the northeast coast of "Terra Nova", naming Conception Bay, Portugal Cove and Labrador -- which means "labourer" in Portuguese.
During the 1950s, a large number of immigrants from the Azores, fleeing political conflict with the regime of António de Oliveira Salazar, moved into the downtown core of Canada’s major cities such as the area of Portugal Village in Toronto, Ontario and further west along Dundas Street to Brockton Village. The stretch of Dundas St. passing through Brockton Village is also known as "Rua Açores". From the 1970's, increasing numbers of Brazilians moved into the same area.
Many second generation Portuguese-Canadians have moved out of the area to suburbs such as Brampton, Mississauga, and Oakville outside of Toronto and Laval outside of Montreal. This spatial and social move, aided by Portuguese-Canadian real estate agents who settle them into suburban communities with large concentrations of other Portuguese, indicates the gradual economic security and comfort with which Portuguese-Canadians address their every day lives in Canada. With this move to the suburbs, there has also emerged an increase in Portuguese students pursuing university training for employment beyond the construction site or the factory floor to professions and small businesses.
[edit] Notable Portuguese Canadians
[edit] Athletes
- Mike Ribeiro, pro hockey player for the Dallas Stars
- Manny Fernandez, pro hockey goalie for the Minnesota Wild
[edit] Politicians
- John Rodriguez - Former NDP MP 1974-1980, 1984-1993 (of Guyanese Portuguese decent)
- Mario Silva - Liberal MP Davenport 2004+ and former Toronto city councillor
- Martin Silva - Toronto city councillor
[edit] Singers
- Keshia Chanté (1988 - ) teen pop singer[1]
- Shawn Desman
- Nelly Furtado
[edit] Groups
Some Portuguese-Canadians adopt the name Luso-Canadians for their local social and business clubs in reference to Lusitania, the ancient name associated with Portugal under the Roman empire. The attendance growth of organizations indicate the growth in small business and univiersities throughout the community.
[edit] Portuguese-Canadian business groups
- Federation of Portuguese-Canadian Business and Professionals
- Association of Portuguese Businesses in Winnipeg
- Alliance des Professionels et Entrepreneurs Portugais du Québec
[edit] Portuguese-Canadian Educational groups
- Portuguese Association of Ryerson, PAR
- York University Portuguese Association, YUPA
- University of Toronto Portuguese Association, UTPA
[edit] Other groups
- Portuguese Canadian National Congress
[edit] Portuguese Publications
- Voz Lusitana [4]