Customs and Traditions Religion Sports and Recreation The Arts Learning Canadian Life Community Identity Societies Festivals

While immigrants from Italy contributed to the economy of various Canadian communities, over the years, Italian-Canadians subtly influenced Canadian culture and lifeways.  There is no concrete evidence for this but it can be judged through the popularity of Italian foodstuffs, restaurants and luxury items.  As well, the contributions of individuals of Italian descent can be seen through the businesses that they have established as well as contributions to the intellectual life of the country, for example, Italian language schools, university programs of study, and festivals.  

As well, where a significant Italian presence has remained in inner-city areas, Little Italies have become a draw for visitors and community members alike.  The buildings and streetscapes may resemble those of any older city of Canada but the stores and restaurants are a treasure trove of Italian products.  Italy can be tasted and seen.  Other community buildings such as churches and Italian cultural centres add to that sense of the "foreign" in our own land.  While in the past redevelopment would have erased these remnants of the past, it is now desirable to maintain the ethnocultural flavour of our inner-city communities, as they undergo revitilization through culture-based connections.  Little Italies can be found in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.  Take a virtual tour of Edmonton's Little Italy.

The third wave of Italian immigration, beginning in the 1950s, saw a proliferation of Italian products in Canada.  Initially, small shopkeepers began to import the goods that the recent immigrants could not do without.  Eventually, large wholesalers distributed these products regionally and nationally.  As well, home-grown Canadian companies owned by immigrants and their descendants began to produce the pasta, cheeses, salamis and prosciuttos (cured hams) so much in demand.  Thus, there are two product streams-those coming from Italy and promoted through the Italian Embassy in Ottawa and consular offices across the country and goods made in Canada but based on Italian traditions.

This is a marked contrast to the early 1950s when Canadian schoolchildren turned up their noses at our smelly sandwiches.  Today, what grocery store doesn't have on sale Italian salami, provolone, etc.?"¹  Italian food, as all ethnic food, is now the rage evidenced by gourmet magazine recipes and the cooking channel on television.  It is not only Italian regional chefs who talk about regional Italian cuisine but also their Canadian counterparts in all regions of the country.

Various Italian societies also actively promote customs and traditions from the homeland but adapted over the past 50 years of immigration history.  Feast days and other celebrations at community centres showcase these traditions as well as Italian and multicultural festivals.  Though, as the remaining survivors of the 1960s-70s immigration die, that first-hand link to Italy will be gone.  The question for Italian communities across Canada is how to re-fashion community organizations including the church so that they remain relevant to new generations of Canadians with Italian ancestry. The Government of Italy's promotion of the re-acquisition of Italian citizenship and the growing power of the European Economic Community has made Italy not only a family tourism destination but also a place of work for those fluent in Italian.  As globalization continues, the Italian language and roots will make Italian ancestry more and more desirable and marketable.


Click on the image of the 'Italy Food Map' to read an article about Italian thought on food and wine.

Related Links  

• http://www.dolcevita.com/cuisine/recipes/recipes.htm
  an external website to recipes from Dolce Vita Wine & Cuisine
   
• http://www.italianmade.com/foods/home.cfm  an external link to the Official Site of the Foods and Wines of Italy
   
• Italian Trade Commission of Canada
  http://www.italytrade.com/
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Heritage Languages Conference
  "The Heritage Languages in a Multicultural Society (Present and Future)" was the theme of a conference held at the Chateau Lacombe, Edmonton.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Vittorio Facchin: Un Pioniere Dell'Industria Leggera
  Short bio of Vittorio Facchin. In 1965 he opened the first pasta manufacturing plant in Edmonton "Pasta Roma".
   
• Il Congresso Article:  E' Nata l'Italian Bakery III
  In this article, the Frattin family history is told, from the opening of their first bakery, in 1960, to the newly opened "Italian Bakery III", including the thoughts of Tony and Aurora Frattin on family and clientele.
   
• Il Congresso Article: L'angolo dei buongustai
  Recipes of appetizers.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  L'angolo dei boungostai
  An Article with recipes for 2 types of fish: pike and trout.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Sceppa
  This article looks at Sceppa, a restaurant opened by Ralph Maio that becomes one of the best and most authentic Italian restaurants in Edmonton.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Successi Della Cucina e Dei Vini Italiani Al Chateau Lake Louise
  This article deals with the presentation of the Vino Novello at the Chateau Lake Louise. The Vice Consul Giovanni Bincoletto and 400 guests enjoy a typical Italian supper and entertainment provided by the orchestra of Louis Trono and the Appennini Dancers.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Celebrata a Toronto la Settiman a della Calabria in Canada
  This article covers Celebration of the Calabria Week in Toronto with the purpose to show the many aspects of the Calabrese reality (culture, art, tourism).
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Prima Competizione Annuale Vini Fatti in Casa
  This article notifies the Italian community of the first competition for home made wine, organized by Club Calabria and held at Santa Maria Community Centre in 1987.
   
• Il Congresso Article:  Medaglia d'Oro per Gino Antonello
  Mr Gino Antonello receives a medal & a diploma from the Padova Chamber of Commerce that recognizes citizens of Padova outside Italy that have made many achivements.

[back] [top]