A Religious Profile of Canada
By Abdul Malik Mujahid
Total Population: 32 million
- Canada is still predominantly Roman Catholic
and Protestant
- Roman Catholics: the largest religious
group in Canada
- Growth in Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism
Canada-A Nation of Believers
84% of Canadians say they believe in God
Free Christians: 780,400
In the 2001 census it was illustrated that the number of the
referred to themselves as “Christians”, without
specifying any sect, has now more than doubled (121%). With
780,400 they now represent 2.6% of the Canadian population.
Thus, one of the largest percentage increases among religious
groups.
- It may mean higher level of dislike for
organized church
- It may mean they are nominal Christians
- They may be open to discuss their faith
or explore other options
- They may see Masjid with similar suspicion
as of Church
“No Religion” on the
Rise: 4,800,000
The “No Religion” group has grown from 12% to
16% a decade later. They constitute the second largest group
after Catholics.
Prior to 1971 this population was fewer than 1%. In 2001 this
group was just under 4.8 million.
Immigration was a factor with growth of no religious affiliation
group. 20% of all immigrants from 1991 to 2001 reported no
religion.
- These five million people are not necessarily
atheist.
- They are born into disbelieve under the
communist lands of China
Practice of Religion
Attendance at religious services have faced a dramatic decrease
over the past 15 years. Nationally, 20% of individuals 15
and over attended religious services on a weekly basis in
2001 this number has decreased compared to 1986 when 28% of
the population attended religious services.
- Canada in the religious attendance is closer
to the Europe than the US where 43% attend Church once a
week or more.
- In the US 8% never attend Church while
in Canada 38% never attend a service.
Other Religious Groups:
The number of people identified as Hindu have increased by
89% to 297,200. Sikh rose 89% to 278,400 and Buddhists increased
84% to about 300,300.
The number of people who have identified themselves
as Jewish increased 3.7% during the1990’s to nearly
330,000.
Map of Minority Populations
| Total Visible Minority Population |
Ontario |
Canada |
| South Asian |
554, 870 |
917, 075 |
| Black |
411, 095 |
662, 215 |
| Arab |
88, 545 |
917, 075 |
| West Asian |
67, 105 |
109, 285 |
| Non-immigrant population |
8, 164, 855 |
23, 991, 910 |
| Immigrant Population |
3, 030, 080 |
5, 448, 480 |
| Muslim |
352, 530 |
579, 640 |
| Jewish |
190, 800 |
329, 995 |
| Buddhist |
128, 320 |
300, 345 |
| Hindu |
217, 555 |
297, 200 |
| Sikh |
104, 785 |
278, 410 |
***Insha’Allah we will have this information
available in print with all proper citations.
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