Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Arab Canadians

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Arab Canadians come from all of the countries of the Arab world. According to the 2011 Census there were 380,620 Canadians who claimed Arab ancestry. According to the 2011 Census there were 661,750 Canadians who claimed full or partial ancestry from an Arabic-speaking country. The large majority of the Canadians of Arab origin population live in either Ontario or Quebec. Not all Canadians from the Arab world are Arabs, there are also communities of Armenians, Assyrians, Copts, Kurds, Turcomans, Berbers, and those who espouse a Phoenician or Aramean heritage (see Phoenicianism and Arameanism).

Contents

2011 Census

The distribution of the Arab population of Canada according to the 2001 Census and 2011 Census was as follows:

Business

  • Kevin O'Leary - entrepreneur and reality television personality (Dragons' Den, Shark Tank) (of Lebanese and Irish descent)

    • Politicians

  • Omar Alghabra - former Liberal MP (2006–2008) in the federal riding of Mississauga—Erindale in Ontario, Canada (of Syrian descent, born in Saudi Arabia)
  • Pierre de Bané - former Liberal MP (1968–1984), Cabinet Minister and former Senator (of Palestinian and Lebanese descent)
  • Michael Basha - former member of the Senate of Canada (of Lebanese descent)
  • Tarik Brahmi - current NDP member of House of Commons for Saint-Jean (of Algerian descent)
  • Fonse Faour - former NDP MP and leader of Newfoundland NDP (of Lebanese descent)
  • Eddie Francis - Mayor of Windsor, Ontario (of Lebanese descent)
  • Joe Ghiz - former Premier of Prince Edward Island (of Lebanese descent)
  • Robert Ghiz - Premier of Prince Edward Island (of Lebanese descent)
  • Sadia Groguhé - current NDP member of House of Commons for Saint-Lambert (of Algerian descent)
  • Mac Harb - Senator, former Liberal MP (1988–2004) and former Ottawa City Councilor (of Lebanese descent)
  • Sana Hassainia - current NDP member of House of Commons for Verchères—Les Patriotes riding (of Tunisian descent)
  • Lorraine Michael - former Nun, leader of New Democratic Party of Newfoundland and Labrador (of Lebanese descent)
  • Maria Mourani - current Bloc Québécois MP (2006–) in federal riding of Ahuntsic in Quebec, Canada (of Lebanese descent)
  • Khalil Ramal - Ontario MPP (of Lebanese descent)
  • Djaouida Sellah - current NDP member of House of Commons for Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert (of Algerian descent)

    • Political activists

  • Maher Arar - human rights activist; deportation and tortured victim in Syrian jail (of Syrian descent)
  • Monia Mazigh - human rights activist and New Democratic Party candidate (of Tunisian descent)
  • Samah Sabawi - Palestinian rights activist and playwright

    • Filmmakers

  • Anisa Mehdi - Emmy Award-winning film director, journalist and director of Inside Mecca (of Iraqi descent)
  • Donald Shebib - documentary filmmaker (of Lebanese descent)

    • Singers

  • Paul Anka - singer (of Lebanese descent)
  • Belly - rap/hip hop artist (of Palestinian descent)
  • Andy Kim - pop singer/songwriter (of Lebanese descent)
  • K.Maro - rapper (of Lebanese descent)
  • Kristina Maria - rapper (of Lebanese descent)
  • Massari - pop and hip-hop singer (of Lebanese descent)
  • Nasri - reggae and pop singer (of Palestinian descent)
  • The Narcicyst - rapper (of Iraqi descent)
  • Vaï - rapper, hip hop singer (of Moroccan descent)
  • Karl Wolf - singer (of Lebanese descent)

    • Sportsmen

  • Ramzi Abid - professional hockey player (of Tunisian descent)
  • David Azzi - professional player in Canadian Football League (of Lebanese descent)
  • Joey Haddad - professional hockey player (of Lebanese descent)
  • John Hanna - professional hockey player (of Lebanese descent)
  • Ed Hatoum - professional hockey player (of Lebanese descent)
  • Fabian Joseph - former professional hockey player (Canada men's national ice hockey team) (of Lebanese descent)
  • Nazem Kadri - professional hockey player (of Lebanese descent)
  • John Makdessi - professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter (of Lebanese descent)
  • Alain Nasreddine - professional hockey player (of Lebanese descent)
  • Jean Sayegh - water polo player (of Lebanese descent)
  • Rami Sebei - professional wrestler, under the ring names Sami Zayn and El Generico

    • Others

  • Reema Abdo - former backstroke swimmer (of Yemeni descent)
  • René Angélil - manager and husband of Céline Dion, (of Lebanese and Syrian descent)
  • Nahlah Ayed - journalist (of Palestinian descent)
  • Omar Khadr - detainee formerly held in Guantanamo Bay detention camp (of Egyptian descent)
  • Habeeb Salloum - author, cookbook author, writer, travel writer (of Syrian descent)
  • Mamdouh Shoukri - current president of York University (of Egyptian descent)

    • References

    Arab Canadians Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA