Nepalese Canadians

Nepalese Canadians

Total population
(9,780 (by ancestry, 2011 Census))
Regions with significant populations
Ontario	1,995 (52.8%)
Alberta	715 (18.9%)
British Columbia	570 (15.1%)
Quebec	310 (8.20%)
Manitoba	115 (3.04%)
Languages
English · French  · Maithili  · Nepali
Religion
Hinduism · Buddhism · Kirant Mundhum · Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Nepali people · Nepalese Americans

Nepalese Canadians or Nepali Canadians are Canadians with roots in Nepal.

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 India, 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. In 2013 and 2014, more than two thousands Nepalese settled in Alberta. Only a handful are spread throughout the rest of Canada. Immigration overview of permanent residents in Canada (Canada Government) has published that between 2004 and 2013, 8218 people with Nepal as source country became permanent residents 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. The Canadian government has opened a permanent residency program for professionals like doctors, engineers, nurse, professors, and accountants from Nepal. Nepali foreign employment agencies have promoted Nepal's workforce and seek openings in Canada so Nepalese workers can be hired through personal contacts in various sectors.

Current status

The Nepalis who have immigrated to Canada are largely a well-educated group, and some 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, specialty stores and quick-marts.

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.

Notable people

• Sudarshan Gautam, Nepali diaspora member; the first armless person to summit Mount Everest without the use of prosthetics
• Aditya Jha, involved in Canadian philanthropy and active giving, business success, political involvement
• Drona Prakash Rasali, Nepali diaspora leader; multidisciplinary biomedical scientist
• Sameer Sthapit-Rajbhandari, Senior Economist at Health Canada; researcher; Ottawa, Canada
• Manjushree Thapa, Nepali writer

External links

• Canada Nepal