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In almost every Canadian family tree, there is an ethnic enclave: Irish Catholics in Montreal’s St. Anne’s Ward, European Jews in Toronto’s Kensington Market or Ukrainians in the new farming villages of early 20th century Alberta. “People find their footing in these neighbourhoods … they pull comfort from these areas, especially women and elderly people,” said Sandeep Agrawal, a specialist in ethnic enclaves at Ryerson University.

In 1981, Canada had only six neighbourhoods with ethnic enclaves (neighbourhoods where more than 30% of the population is a visible minority). Now, that number has mushroomed to more than 260. In cities like Vancouver, home to nearly half of these enclaves, neighbourhoods are becoming increasingly defined by ethnicity. Unlike the racial ghettoes of the U.S. or France however, Canada’s ethnic communities are often shaped by choice. “People have made the decision voluntarily to move to these areas,” said Mr. Agrawal.

The enclaves of today may have more staying power than the Little Italys and Jewish quarters of years past, explained Mohammad Qadeer, professor emeritus of urban and regional planning at Queen’s University. “They will continue to draw new immigrants who will keep on arriving as far as the eye can see,” he wrote in an email to the Post. While Canada’s influx of Italians, Germans, Jews and Greeks largely ended after only 10 or 20 years, India, China and South Asia represent near-bottomless supplies of new Canadians — particularly as Canada’s immigrant needs are more potent than ever.