Russian Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Russian Canadians are people living in Canada who have full or partial Russian ancestry. They form a smaller but well-established European-origin community, with populations spread across several provinces. People of Russian ancestry are also found in notable numbers across North and South America.
According to Statistics Canada (2021 Census), 548,145 people in Canada reported Russian ancestry, accounting for approximately 1.51% of the total population.
👉 Also read about the Russian population in the United States
Russian Population by Canadian Provinces
Russian Canadians are unevenly distributed across Canada, with higher concentrations in a few key provinces. Ontario has the largest Russian-Canadian population, with 187,460 people, followed by British Columbia (121,755) and Alberta (97,890).
By percentage of total population, Manitoba has the highest share of residents with Russian ancestry at 3.72%, followed by Saskatchewan (3.26%) and British Columbia (2.48%), indicating stronger relative concentrations in parts of the Prairies.
List of Provinces by Russian Ancestry
| # | Province | Responses | Percentage |
| 1 | Ontario | 187,460 | 1.34% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 121,755 | 2.48% |
| 3 | Alberta | 97,890 | 2.34% |
| 4 | Manitoba | 48,570 | 3.72% |
| 5 | Quebec | 47,190 | 0.57% |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 35,915 | 3.26% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 4,490 | 0.47% |
| 8 | New Brunswick | 2,600 | 0.34% |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 680 | 0.14% |
| 10 | Yukon | 660 | 1.67% |
| 11 | Prince Edward Island | 545 | 0.36% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 295 | 0.73% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 95 | 0.26% |
| Canada | 548,145 | 1.51% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
also read about the Population of Russia
Top Canadian metropolitan areas by Russian population
Russian Canadians are primarily concentrated in major urban areas. The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Russian-Canadian population, with 109,285 people reporting Russian ancestry. It is followed by Vancouver (51,690) and Montreal (41,130).
Several mid-sized metropolitan areas—particularly in the Prairies and British Columbia—show a higher percentage of residents with Russian ancestry, reflecting localized settlement patterns.
Top Cities in Canada by Russian Population
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Population 2021 | % of Total |
| 1 | Toronto | Ont | 109,285 | 1.78% |
| 2 | Vancouver | B.C | 51,690 | 1.98% |
| 3 | Montreal | Que | 41,130 | 0.98% |
| 4 | Calgary | Alta | 33,050 | 2.26% |
| 5 | Edmonton | Alta | 27,095 | 1.94% |
| 6 | Winnipeg | Man | 25,370 | 3.09% |
| 7 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont./Que | 15,470 | 1.06% |
| 8 | Hamilton | Ont | 13,885 | 1.24% |
| 9 | Saskatoon | Sask | 12,250 | 3.93% |
| 10 | Victoria | B.C | 8,435 | 2.17% |
| 11 | Kelowna | B.C | 8,225 | 3.76% |
| 12 | Abbotsford – Mission | B.C | 6,895 | 3.59% |
| 13 | Regina | Sask | 6,850 | 2.80% |
| 14 | St. Catharines – Niagara | Ont | 6,165 | 1.45% |
| 15 | Kitchener – Cambridge – Waterloo | Ont | 6,135 | 1.08% |
| 16 | Winkler | Man | 6,120 | 19.00% |
| 17 | London | Ont | 5,020 | 0.94% |
| 18 | Medicine Hat | Alta | 4,770 | 6.39% |
| 19 | Chilliwack | B.C | 4,535 | 4.06% |
| 20 | Windsor | Ont | 4,500 | 1.08% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
also read about ethnicity and origin in Canada
FAQ: Russian Ancestry in Canada
How many Russian Canadians are there?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, 548,145 people in Canada reported Russian ancestry, representing approximately 1.51% of the total population.
Which province has the most Russian Canadians?
Ontario has the largest Russian-Canadian population, with 187,460 residents reporting Russian ancestry in the 2021 Census.
Which Canadian city has the largest Russian population?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest Russian-Canadian population, with 109,285 people reporting Russian ancestry.
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