This November marks the fourth year of celebrating Hindu Heritage Month in Canada. First recognized nationally in 2022, the month celebrates the rich culture and diversity of one of the oldest religions in the world. While Hindu Heritage Month is a relatively recent national observance, Hindu communities have been contributing to Canada’s cultural and social fabric for more than a century.
A growing community from coast to coast
According to the 2021 Census, the Hindu population in Canada was roughly 830,000 people in 2021. This represented 2.3% of the country’s total population, up from 1.0% in 2001.
Nearly 7 in 10 Hindus in Canada (69%; 573,700 people) resided in Ontario in 2021, with large communities also being found in the provinces of British Columbia (81,320), Alberta (78,520) and Quebec (47,390).
While Hindu communities can be found across Canada, over half (55%; 457,820 people) of the Hindu population lived in the Toronto census metropolitan area.
Lighting up the celebrations
Diwali is one of the most notable Hindu festivals, occurring every year around autumn. It’s a five-day celebration of sweets, exchanging gifts and, most notably, lights. This year, it kicks off on Friday, November 6, with its main festival occurring Sunday, November 8, so look out for fireworks lighting up the sky.
For more information
For more information on the Hindu population in Canada, please refer to this Special Interest Profile from the 2021 Census of Population.
Updated data on Canada’s Hindu population will be released in the fall of 2027, as part of the 2026 Census release on ethnocultural and religious diversity.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).