Greek Canadians Explained

Greek Canadians (el|Ελληνοκαναδοί) are Canadian citizens who have full or partial Greek heritage or people who emigrated from Greece and reside in Canada. According to the 2021 Census, there were 262,140 Canadians who claimed Greek ancestry.^[3]

Demographics

Provinces and territories with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:^[4]

	Greek Canadians	Percentage	Born in Greece
Canada	271,410	0.79
	148,555	1.12	36,575
	71,330	0.90	18,420
	24,460	0.54	3,635
	15,025	0.38	2,005
	4,130	0.33	820
	3,360	0.37	510
	2,880	0.27	605
	950	0.13	95
	380	0.07	30
	175	0.13	15
	90	0.26	10
	50	0.12	10
	20	0.06	10

Census Metropolitan Agglomerations (CMAs) with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:^[4]

CMA	! Greek Canadians	Percentage	Born in Greece
Toronto		99,145	1.69	27,890
Montreal		66,395	1.66	17,890
Vancouver		16,085	0.66	2,890
Ottawa - Gatineau	/	8,005	0.62	990
Hamilton		6,940	0.94	1,620
Calgary		6,770	0.49	940
London		5,365	1.10	1,180
Edmonton		5,015	0.39	655
Oshawa		4,690	1.25	715
Kitchener - Cambridge - Waterloo		3,885	0.75	580

Cities with the highest population of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:^[5]

City	Province	Greek Canadians	Percentage	Born in Greece
Toronto		57,420	2.13	19,240
Montreal		29,060	1.75	9,150
Laval		20,385	4.96	5,940
Mississauga		7,490	1.05
Ottawa		6,975	0.76
Markham		6,215	1.90
Calgary		6,150	0.50
Vancouver		5,760	0.93
Vaughan		5,065	1.67
Hamilton		5,030	0.95

Ridings (Federal electoral districts) with the highest percentage of Greek Canadians, according to 2016 Census:^[6]

Riding	Province	Greek Canadians	Percentage
Laval—Les Îles		13,190	12.46
Toronto—Danforth		7,655	7.26
Papineau		5,490	5.01
Saint-Laurent		4,795	4.92
Scarborough Centre		4,945	4.48
Beaches—East York		4,585	4.23
Ahuntsic-Cartierville		4,695	4.18
Vimy		4,335	4.07
Don Valley East		3,785	4.06
Pierrefonds—Dollard		3,680	3.43

List of notable Canadians of Greek ancestry

Academics

• Andreas Mandelis – expert on photonics, member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; awarded the 2014 Killam Prize

Authors

• Pan Bouyoucas – finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award, 2001
• Tess Fragoulis – writer and educator
• Thomas King – writer and broadcaster presenter
• Dimitrios Roussopoulos – politician and activist
• Hélène Papachristidis Holden^[7] - writer, recipient of Order of Canada

Professors

• Athanasios Asimakopulos – Professor of Political Economy in the Department of Economics, McGill University
• Nick Bontis – DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University 3M National Teaching Fellow
• André Gerolymatos – Hellenic Studies
• Dimitri Kitsikis – Professor Emeritus of History, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
• Fotini Markopoulou-Kalamara – Physics
• John Mylopoulos – Computer Science
• Nikolaos Oikonomides – Byzantine history
• David N. Stamos – Philosophy
• Anastasios Venetsanopoulos – Vice President of Research and Innovation at Ryerson University
• Dr. Fotini Labropulu - Mathematics

Business and philanthropy

• • Jack Agrios – former director and executive member of the Edmonton Elks Andreas Apostolopoulos – real estate
• Chris Giannou – war surgeon
• Sam Kolias – founder, Chairman and CEO of Boardwalk REIT
• Mike Lazaridis – founder and co-CEO of Research In Motion (RIM), creator of BlackBerry
• Sam Panopoulos - Chef and businessman best known for his invention of the Hawaiian Pizza

Creatives

Artists

• • Eleonora Dimakos – model, actress, journalist and makeup artist Billy Mavreas – cartoonist
• Pythia – drag queen
• Paul Soulikias – artist painter
• Chrysanne Stathacos - multidisciplinary artist
• George Trakas – environmental sculptor

Sport

Athletics

• Nicolas Macrozonaris – 100m sprinter

Baseball

• Alex Anthopoulos – President of Baseball Operations for the Atlanta Braves, former Blue Jays General Manager
• George Kottaras – Major League player
• Vickie Panos – player, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League in

Basketball

• Naz Mitrou-Long – NBA player, Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers
• Elijah Mitrou-Long - player with PAOK of the Greek Basket League

Boxing

• Hercules Kyvelos – boxer

Chess

• Peter Biyiasas – chess grandmaster

Diving

• Alexandre Despatie – diver, Olympic silver medalist (Greek grandmother)

Field hockey

• Ernie Cholakis – player

Figure skating

• Madeline Schizas

Football

• Dave Sapunjis – CFL all-star receiver, Calgary Stampeders

Ice hockey

• Andreas Athanasiou – NHL player for the Chicago Blackhawks
• Chris Kontos – former National Hockey League (NHL) player
• Chris Kotsopoulos — former NHL player, New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings
• Tom Kostopoulos – former NHL player, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames
• Nick Kypreos – former NHL player, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers
• Jordan Kyrou – NHL player for the St. Louis Blues; gold medalist at the 2018 World Junior Championships
• Dave Nonis – former Canadian ice hockey defenceman; former general manager and executive of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
• José Théodore – former NHL player; Hart Memorial Trophy winner in 2002 with the Montreal Canadiens

Mixed Martial Arts

• Elias Theodorou – former UFC middleweight

Motorsports

• Jorge Dascollas - Rally Driver, former National Rally Champion and president of the Canadian Association of RallySport (CARS) 2006-2007
• Dimitri "Takis" Andrew - Rally Driver
• Panos Simatos - Rally Driver

Soccer

• David Fronimadis – player
• Stathis Kappos – player
• John Limniatis – player
• James Pantemis – goalkeeper, CF Montréal
• Nick Papadakis – player
• Peter Sarantopoulos – player
• Kenny Stamatopolous – player, former Toronto FC and Kalamata
• Sarah Stratigakis - midfield, Michigan Wolverines, Canadian Women's National Team
• Theo Zagar – player

Strength athletics

• Dominic Filiou – strongman

Water skiing

• George Athans – water-skier

Wrestling

• Bret Hart – former pro wrestler, multiple World Champion in the WWF and WCW; of Greek ancestry; mother is half Greek^[8]
• Owen Hart – former pro wrestler, WWE Intercontinental Champion, European Champion and Tag-Team Champion, brother of Bret
• Teddy Hart – pro wrestler, nephew of Owen and Bret
• Jim Korderas – former WWE referee, television commentator
• Natalya Neidhart – pro wrestler, former WWE Women's Champion, niece of Bret and Owen Hart
• Trish Stratus (aka Patricia Anne Stratigias) – former professional wrestler, seven time WWE Women's Champion, former WWE Hardcore Champion
• John Tolos – former professional wrestler and professional wrestling manager

Film, TV and stage

Actors and performers

• Marie Avgeropoulos – actress, Tracers, Supernatural, Fringe, The 100
• Alex Carter – actor
• John Colicos – actor
• Chris Diamantopoulos – actor
• John Ioannou – actor
• John Kapelos – actor
• Athena Karkanis – actress, The Border, Lost Girl, Low Winter Sun, The Lottery
• Argiris Karras – actor
• Alex Karzis – actor, singer and musician
• Elias Koteas – actor, Crash
• Melissanthi Mahut – actress
• Natasha Negovanlis – actress and web host
• Nikki Ponte – singer
• Cristine Prosperi – actress
• Daniel Samonas – actor
• Sofia Shinas – singer, actress, The Crow
• Tracy Spiridakos – actress, Being Human, Revolution
• Elias Toufexis – actor
• Angelo Tsarouchas – comedian/actor It's all Greek to Me Comedy Show
• Nia Vardalos – actress, screenwriter, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
• Marie Wilson – actress, Days of Our Lives, General Hospital

Directors and producers

• Tony Asimakopoulos – documentary film director
• Stephano Barberis - music video director
• Constant Mentzas - filmmaker
• Watts – music producer, born Austin Garrick

Entertainers

• Ariana Chris – mezzo-soprano
• Christine Cushing – celebrity chef
• Anesti Danelis - comedian, musician
• Dini Dimakos – comedian/actor, Video on Trial, Love Court
• DVBBS – electronic duo, most famous for their joint international hit with Borgeous, Tsunami
• Hannah Georgas – singer/songwriter
• Rex Harrington - ballet dancer
• Alex Karzis – actor, voiceover artist, musician and singer
• KO – musician
• Sid Krofft – puppeteer
• George Sapounidis – musician, troubadour, statistician, Sinophile; subject of documentary Chairman George
• Teresa Stratas (born 1938) – soprano OC; retired Canadian operatic soprano; known for her award-winning recording of Alban Berg's Lulu; born in Toronto, Ontario
• Angelo Tsarouchas – comedian/actor, It's all Greek to Me Comedy Show
• Phil X (born Phil Xenidis) – prolific session guitarist

Journalists and broadcasters

• Ernie Afaganis – retired CBC-TV Sports and Olympics anchor.
• Mannie Buzunis - Vancouver radio talk show host and news anchor (maternal uncle is Ernie Afaganis)
• Thalia Assuras – anchor and reporter
• Athena King – newscaster on Naked News
• Steve Kouleas – sports anchor and reporter
• George Lagogianes – television personality, currently reporter and anchor for CP24; host of Auto Shop
• Nik Nanos – political commentator and founder of Nanos Research
• Ioanna Roumeliotis – CBC Newsworld reporter
• Lou Schizas – equities analyst
• George Stroumboulopoulos – host, CBC Newsworld's The Hour, former MuchMusic VJ
• Christina-Laia Vlahos – OMNI 1 presenter
• Antonia Zerbisias – Toronto Star columnist
• Vassy Kapelos — host, CBC News Network's Power & Politics, former Global News Ottawa bureau chief
• Niki Anastasakis — Producer and Anchor, CHCH's Inside the Story, former Global News Peterborough Reporter

Historical figures

Immigrants

• Ioánnis Fokás Juan de Fuca – first Greek-Canadian (1592)

Politicians

• Annie Koutrakis - Liberal MP for Vimy, Quebec
• Sophia Aggelonitis – former Liberal MPP for Hamilton Mountain
• Niki Ashton – NDP Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Churchill, Manitoba
• Eleni Bakopanos – former Liberal MP for Saint-Denis
• Staff Barootes – former Conservative Senator
• Marie Bountrogianni – former Liberal MPP for Hamilton Mountain
• John Cannis – former Liberal MP for Scarborough Centre, 1993 to 2011
• Tony Clement – Member of Parliament for Muskoka, and President of the Treasury Board
• Mary Fragedakis – Toronto City Councillor for Ward 29, Toronto-Danforth
• Peter Fragiskatos – Liberal MP for London North Centre
• Philippe Gigantès – former Liberal Senator
• Faith Goldy – right-wing political commentator, former Toronto Mayoral candidate
• Leo Housakos – Conservative Senator
• Maurine Karagianis – New Democratic Party of British Columbia MLA, former Esquimalt – municipal councillor, British Columbia
• Jim Karygiannis – Toronto City Councillor
• Labi Kousoulis – Nova Scotia Liberal MLA for Halifax Citadel-Sable Island Minister of Finance and Treasury Board, Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth (formerly Business), and Minister of Trade.
• Emmanuella Lambropoulos – Liberal MP for Saint Laurent
• Costas Menegakis – Former Conservative Party of Canada MP for Richmond Hill
• Pana Merchant – Liberal Senator from Saskatchewan
• Christina Mitas - PC MPP for Scarborough Centre, 2018 to present
• Constantine George Mitges – former PC MP, first Greek elected federally
• Nick Mantas - Toronto City Councillor, Ward 22, Scarborough - Agincourt
• Tom Mrakas – Mayor Town of Aurora
• George Samis – former Ontario New Democratic Party MPP, first Greek elected to a Canadian legislature
• Christos Sirros – former Quebec Liberal MNA and provincial cabinet minister
• Gerry Sklavounos – Liberal Member of the Québec National Assembly
• Dimitri Soudas – Former Communications Director to the Prime Minister of Canada
• Diane Stratas – former Progressive Conservative MP for Scarborough Centre, 1979 to 1980
• Effie Triantafilopoulos - PC MPP for Oakville-North Burlington, 2018 to present

Judiciary

• Justice Andromache Karakatsanis – Supreme Court of Canada, 2011 to present
• Justice David Stratas – Federal Court of Appeal, 2009 to present

Religious figures

• Nicholas Salamis – priest
• Christophoros (Rakintzakis) – bishop

Order of Canada recipients

• Teresa Stratas (born 1938) – soprano OC; retired Canadian operatic soprano; known for her award-winning recording of Alban Berg's Lulu; born in Toronto, Ontario

Order of Merit of the Police Forces recipients

• Peter Lambrinakos MOM – Canadian police and corporate security executive.

See also

• Canadian-Greek relations
• Greek Torontonians
• Canadian people of Greek descent
• Philhellenism
• 1918 Toronto anti-Greek riot

External links

• hellenism.net – a comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Americans

Further reading

• Book: Magocsi, Paul R. Encyclopedia of Canada's peoples. 616–26. Multicultural History Society of Ontario. 1997. 0-8020-2938-8.
• Book: Ember, Melvin. Encyclopedia of Diasporas: Immigrant and Refugee Cultures Around the World . 207. Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2005. 9780306483219.

External links

• Greek-Canadians – A comprehensive list of famous Greeks and Greek Canadians
• GreekGateway.com – Greek cultural entertainment site, event resource and business directory
• Toronto-Danforth political riding with concentrated Hellenic population

Embassy and Consulates

• Embassy of Greece in Ottawa, Ontario
• Consulate General of Greece in Toronto, Ontario
• Consulate General of Greece in Montreal, Quebec
• Consulate General of Greece in Vancouver, British Columbia

Charitable organizations

• AHEPA home page – American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
• Hellenic Heritage Foundation
• Hellenic Home for the Aged
• Hellenic Hope Center – supports people with disabilities
• Hellenic Scholarships

Communities

• Ottawa Hellenic Community
• Greek Community of Toronto
• Hellenic Community of York Region
• Greek Community of London
• Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Calgary
• Victoria, British Columbia
• Hellenic Community of Vancouver

Trade organizations

• Hellenic Canadian Board of Trade
• Hellenic Canadian Lawyers Association
• Hellenic Canadian Congress of British Columbia

Affiliate trade organizations

• Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce
• Hellenic-Argentine Chamber of Industry and Commerce (C.I.C.H.A.)

Performance art groups

• Kyklos
• Theatre Nefeli

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age: Canada, provinces and territories, 2021. statcan.gc.ca.
2. Web site: Selected Demographic and Cultural Characteristics . . January 18, 2009 . June 4, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080604212307/http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/products/standard/themes/RetrieveProductTable.cfm?Temporal=2001&PID=68635&GID=517770&METH=1&APATH=3&PTYPE=55496&THEME=44&AID=0&FREE=0&FOCUS=0&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF=&GC=0&GK=0&SC=1&SR=1&RL=0&CPP=99&RPP=9999&d1=23&d2=0&d3=0 . dead .
3. Web site: Ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age: Canada, provinces and territories, 2021. statcan.gc.ca.
4. Web site: Census Profile, 2016 Census, Ethnic origin for Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs). December 4, 2017.
5. Web site: Census Profile, 2016 Census - Toronto, City [Census subdivision], Ontario and Toronto, Census division [Census division], Ontario]. Canada. Government of Canada, Statistics. www12.statcan.gc.ca. en. 2017-12-04.
6. Web site: Census Profile, 2016 Census - Laval--Les Îles [Federal electoral district], Quebec and Toronto, Census division [Census division], Ontario]. Canada. Government of Canada, Statistics. www12.statcan.gc.ca. en. 2017-12-04.
7. Web site: General . Office of the Secretary to the Governor . Ms. Hélène Papachristidis Holden . 2022-11-03 . The Governor General of Canada.
8. Bret Hart's mother is half Greek as is published in his autobiography Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling