Nepalese Canadian
Encyclopedia
Nepalese Canadians or Nepali Canadians are Canadians with roots in the South Asia
n country of Nepal
.
, Burma and Bhutan
as well as Nepalis who lived in other countries (Fiji
, Hong Kong
, the United Kingdom
and the United States
) before immigrating to Canada.
The majority of Nepalis in Canada migrated in pursuit of better economic opportunities and professional fulfilment. Some who had experienced discrimination in the countries they left were also attracted by the possibility of enjoying political and religious freedom in Canada. A small number of Nepalis arrived during the 1960s and early 1970s. From the late 1970s to the present there has been a relative increase in their number. Some Nepalis arrived in Canada as independent professionals and members of various occupational groups, while others were able to enter through family affiliations and personal contacts. A small group of Nepalis came through the Gurkha Welfare Appeal (Canada), which was established by Canadian military veterans after World War II
.
Nepalis have settled primarily in the urban areas of Canada. Almost half of them are located in Ontario
, and the second-largest settlement is in British Columbia
. Only a handful are spread throughout the rest of Canada. There are also a number of Canadian parents seeking to adopt children from Nepal although recently Canadian authorities have suspended adoptions from Nepal. Nepali foreign employment agencies had promoted Nepal's workforce and seek openings in Canada so Nepalese workers could be hired through personal contacts in various sectors.
Some have private practices in medicine, pharmacy, and accounting, or are self-employed in various fields such as real estate and the hospitality and service sectors. While there are Nepalese Canadians working in restaurants and factories, others have high-level positions as senior executives in corporations and partners in national firms. Nepali immigrants are also beginning to establish small businesses, such as restaurants and specialty stores.
Many Nepalese Canadians participate in mainstream-Canadian political, professional, religious, and charitable organizations. Because of their small numbers, however, their influence on Canadian regional and national politics is as yet only marginal.
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
n country of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
.
Migration History
Nepalis are recent immigrants in Canada and their numbers are relatively small. According to the 1991 report on immigration and citizenship, only 125 people indicated Nepal as their country of birth. Aside from immigrants from Nepal itself, there are also Nepali-speaking people from neighboring countries such as IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Burma and Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
as well as Nepalis who lived in other countries (Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
) before immigrating to Canada.
The majority of Nepalis in Canada migrated in pursuit of better economic opportunities and professional fulfilment. Some who had experienced discrimination in the countries they left were also attracted by the possibility of enjoying political and religious freedom in Canada. A small number of Nepalis arrived during the 1960s and early 1970s. From the late 1970s to the present there has been a relative increase in their number. Some Nepalis arrived in Canada as independent professionals and members of various occupational groups, while others were able to enter through family affiliations and personal contacts. A small group of Nepalis came through the Gurkha Welfare Appeal (Canada), which was established by Canadian military veterans after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Nepalis have settled primarily in the urban areas of Canada. Almost half of them are located in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, and the second-largest settlement is in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Only a handful are spread throughout the rest of Canada. There are also a number of Canadian parents seeking to adopt children from Nepal although recently Canadian authorities have suspended adoptions from Nepal. Nepali foreign employment agencies had promoted Nepal's workforce and seek openings in Canada so Nepalese workers could be hired through personal contacts in various sectors.
Current Status
The Nepalis who have immigrated to Canada are, by and large, a well-educated group, and a number of them have advanced university degrees. Members of the Nepalese community in Canada occupy positions as professors, bankers, accountants, doctors, engineers, architects, computer professionals, agriculturalists, and researchers.Some have private practices in medicine, pharmacy, and accounting, or are self-employed in various fields such as real estate and the hospitality and service sectors. While there are Nepalese Canadians working in restaurants and factories, others have high-level positions as senior executives in corporations and partners in national firms. Nepali immigrants are also beginning to establish small businesses, such as restaurants and specialty stores.
Many Nepalese Canadians participate in mainstream-Canadian political, professional, religious, and charitable organizations. Because of their small numbers, however, their influence on Canadian regional and national politics is as yet only marginal.