Slovene Canadians

Slovene Canadians

Kanadski Slovenci
Population distribution of Slovene Canadians by census division, 2021 census
Total population
40,470[1]
Languages
Canadian English • Canadian French • Slovene
Religion
Catholicism • Protestantism
Related ethnic groups
Slovene Americans, Yugoslav Canadians

Slovene Canadians (Slovene: Kanadski Slovenci, literally 'Canadian Slovenes') are Canadian citizens of Slovene descent or Slovenian - born people who reside in Canada.

The first Slovenes came to Canada in the early 1900s. The second generation of Slovenes came as refugees after the second world war. The third generation of Slovenes came in the 1960s for economic reasons. Currently, Slovenes continue to visit Canada and some continue to emigrate. Most of the emigration moves to Ontario where the community is largest.

According to the Canadian population census from 1991, 8,050 persons defined themselves as Slovenes by descent. In 2006, this number increased to 35,935 persons. According to unofficial data, between 40,000 and 50,000 Slovenes live in Canada.

The Slovene community in Canada is alive and well organized. It is a diverse community, but fairly united in the work to preserve national identity, cultural tradition and language. There are a number of Slovene Associations and Groups across Canada. There are three Slovene churches in Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal.

Geographical distribution

Provinces and territories	Combined responses
Ontario	26,485[2]
Quebec	2,510[3]
Nova Scotia	150[4]
New Brunswick	130[5]
Manitoba	1,005[6]
British Columbia	5,555[7]
Prince Edward Island	30[8]
Saskatchewan	640[9]
Alberta	3,885[10]
Newfoundland and Labrador	15[11]
Northwest Territories	20[12]
Yukon	45[13]
Nunavut	0[14]
Canada	40,470

Religion

Slovenian Canadian demography by religion

Religious group	2021[15][a]		2001[16][b]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Christianity	26,585	68.88%	25,945	89.73%
Irreligion	11,580	30%	2,780	9.61%
Islam	80	0.21%	65	0.22%
Judaism	95	0.25%	50	0.17%
Buddhism	45	0.12%	25	0.09%
Hinduism	15	0.04%	10	0.03%
Indigenous spirituality	10	0.03%	10	0.03%
Sikhism	0	0%	0	0%
Other	190	0.49%	30	0.1%
Total Slovenian Canadian population	38,595	100%	28,915	100%

Slovenian Canadian demography by Christian sects

Religious group	2021[15][a]		2001[16][b]
	Pop.	%	Pop.	%
Catholic	22,290	83.84%	22,520	86.8%
Orthodox	710	2.67%	555	2.14%
Protestant	2,045	7.69%	2,415	9.31%
Other Christian	1,540	5.79%	455	1.75%
Total Slovenian Canadian Christian population	26,585	100%	25,945	100%

Notable Slovene Canadians

• Alojzij Ambrožič - Catholic priest
• Lolita Davidovich - actress
• Sabrina Grdevich - actress
• Bill Hajt - ice hockey player
• John Jakopin - ice hockey player
• Ed Kastelic - ice hockey player
• Greg Kuznik - ice hockey player
• Dean Malkoc - ice hockey player
• Joe Mihevc - politician
• Walter Ostanek - accordion musician
• Kevin Pangos - basketball player
• Nic Petan - ice hockey player
• John Smrke - ice hockey player
• Stan Smrke - ice hockey player
• Steve Bozek - ice hockey player
• Tina Srebotnjak - television journalist
• Matt Stajan - ice hockey player
• Elvis Stojko - figure skater
• Walter Wolf - businessman
• Tanya Fir - politician

See also

• Canada portal
• Slovenia portal

• Canada–Slovenia relations
• Slovene diaspora
• European Canadian
• Slovene Americans
• Slovene Argentines

Notes

1. Religious breakdown proportions based on "Slovenian" ethnic or cultural origin response on the 2021 census.^[15]
2. Religious breakdown proportions based on "Slovenian" ethnic or cultural origin response on the 2001 census.^[16]

References

1. "Census Profile, 2016 Census". statcan. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
2. "Ontario [Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". statcan. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
3. "Quebec [Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". statcan. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
4. "Nova Scotia [Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". statcan. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
5. "New Brunswick [Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". statcan. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
6. "Manitoba [Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". statcan. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
7. "British Columbia {Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
8. "Prince Edward Island {Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
9. "Saskatchewan {Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
10. "Alberta {Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
11. "Newfoundland and Labrador {Province] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
12. "Northwest Territiories [Territory] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
13. "Yukon [Territory] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
14. "Nunavut [Territory] and Canada [Country] Ethnic origin population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
15. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2023-05-10). "Religion by ethnic or cultural origins: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
16. Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-12-23). "2001 Census Topic-based tabulations Selected Demographic and Cultural Characteristics (105), Selected Ethnic Groups (100), Age Groups (6), Sex (3) and Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories and Census Metropolitan Areas, 2001 Census - 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-09-21.