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Visible minorities in Canada
Canada is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, with visible minorities forming a rapidly growing share of the population. According to the 2021 Census, visible minorities account for approximately 26.5% of Canada’s total population.
The term visible minority refers to people who are non-Indigenous and non-White, as defined under Canada’s Employment Equity Act. Major visible minority communities include South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino, Latin American, Arab, Southeast Asian, and others.
Immigration has been the primary driver of this growth over recent decades, shaping Canada’s urban centers and labor markets. Statistics Canada projections suggest this trend will continue, with the South Asian population potentially exceeding 5 million by 2041, while Chinese and Black populations may each surpass 3 million.
Visible Minority Population by Province and Territory
The share of visible minorities varies widely across Canada, with the largest concentrations found in highly urbanized provinces and major metropolitan regions.
Visible Minority Population by Province (2021)
| Province / Territory | Visible Minority Population | % of Total Population |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ~4,650,000 | 34.0% |
| British Columbia | ~1,950,000 | 34.2% |
| Alberta | ~1,150,000 | 25.0% |
| Quebec | ~1,450,000 | 17.5% |
| Manitoba | ~245,000 | 18.1% |
| Saskatchewan | ~145,000 | 13.6% |
| Nova Scotia | ~115,000 | 11.9% |
| Prince Edward Island | ~14,300 | 9.5% |
| New Brunswick | ~44,200 | 5.8% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ~16,900 | 3.3% |
| Yukon | ~5,065 | 12.8% |
| Northwest Territories | ~4,920 | 12.2% |
| Nunavut | ~1,320 | 3.6% |
| Canada (Total) | 9,639,200 | 26.5% |
Regional Overview
Ontario has the largest visible minority population, dominated by South Asian, Chinese, and Black communities.
British Columbia has the highest provincial share, with strong Chinese and Filipino representation.
Alberta has experienced rapid growth due to employment-driven migration.
Atlantic provinces have smaller but fast-growing visible minority populations.
Northern territories show lower percentages, reflecting strong Indigenous majorities.
also read: Ethnic Composition in Canada
Visible Minority Subgroups in Canada
Canada’s visible minority population is made up of diverse ethnic and cultural groups. In 2021, three visible minority groups each exceeded one million people, together accounting for over 16% of Canada’s population.
Between 2016 and 2021, all visible minority groups recorded population growth, with the largest increases among South Asian, Black, Filipino, and Arab communities.
Largest Visible Minority Groups (2021 Census)
| Visible minority | Population (2021) | Percentage |
| South Asian | 2,571,400 | 7.1% |
| Chinese | 1,715,775 | 4.7% |
| Black | 1,547,865 | 4.3% |
| Filipino | 957,355 | 2.6% |
| Arab | 694,020 | 1.9% |
| Latin American | 580,240 | 1.6% |
| Southeast Asian | 390,340 | 1.1% |
| West Asian | 360,490 | 1.0% |
| Korean | 218,135 | 0.6% |
| Japanese | 129,425 | 0.36% |
| Visible minority others | 172,885 | 0.5% |
| Multiple visible minorities | 331,800 | 0.9% |
| Total visible minority population | 9,639,200 | 26.5% |
Key Notes
Visible minorities make up over one-quarter of Canada’s population.
South Asians are the largest visible minority group, concentrated in Ontario, BC, and Alberta.
Filipino populations are growing rapidly in Prairie provinces due to labor demand.
Urban centers remain the primary settlement areas for most visible minority communities.
Canada’s demographic diversity is expected to increase steadily through 2041
Ethnic Origin vs Visible Minority vs Indigenous Peoples
Canadian census data distinguishes clearly between ethnic origin, visible minority status, and Indigenous identity.
Ethnic origin reflects ancestral or cultural roots and allows multiple responses.
Visible minority is a racialized classification and counts each person once.
Indigenous Peoples include First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and are counted separately.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Category | What It Measures | Multiple Responses? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic Origin | Ancestry | Yes | Irish, Indian |
| Visible Minority | Racialized group | No | South Asian |
| Indigenous Peoples | Indigenous identity | Sometimes | Cree, Inuit |
📌 A person may report European ethnic origins and still belong to a visible minority group, which explains why totals differ across census categories.
Sources:
Statistics Canada – Population and Demography
Statistics Canada – Census Profile: Ethnic Origin
Statistics Canada – Ethnic Diversity and Immigration
Canadian Encyclopedia – Immigration and Ethnic Diversity in Canada
Statistics Canada – 2021 – Indigenous Population
Statistics Canada – Ethnic Origins and Visible Minorities
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