Community
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
About 2,830 people of Somali origin lived in Calgary at the 2021 Census, with nearly 1,000 more in nearby Brooks, though community leaders put the real number nearer 3,000 to 5,000. Many moved west from Ontario and Quebec for work, and the community has mourned the loss of young men to violence.
Who lives there
The 2021 Census counted about 2,830 people of Somali origin in Calgary, out of 16,310 in Alberta. That is much smaller than Edmonton (11,615). Nearly 1,000 more live in Brooks, a meatpacking town two hours east (CTSomali). Census counts of ethnic origin are likely to be low.
Local reporting has put the community at about 5,000 people, many of whom moved from Ontario or Quebec after 2000 (Global News, 2015).
Work and money
We have not found checked figures for Somali jobs or wages in Calgary. Money goes home through licensed money-transfer businesses.
Who serves the community
The Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary. The Somali Canadian Society of Calgary is a registered charity founded in 2002. It works on settlement, education, health and housing, and runs language classes, mentoring and community events (CanadaHelps; CTSomali). Calgary Police list the community in their diversity resources (Calgary Police Service).
What the community faces now
- Loss of young men: in 2015, after the shooting deaths of two young Somali men, Calgary's police chief met the community. Leaders called the killings "senseless" and asked for answers (Global News).
- A small, spread-out community: Calgary and Brooks together have fewer community institutions than Toronto or Edmonton.
Top needs
- A trusted, open channel for money home.
- Remote paid work in Somalia from Alberta's Somali businesses.
- Trades and energy skills sent home, where they are scarce.
- Counting and linking a small, scattered community, in Calgary and Brooks.
- Remembrance for young men lost here and families lost at home.
Sources differ
The census gives about 2,830 people; community leaders and local reporting give 3,000 to 5,000.
What we don't know yet
Neighbourhoods, jobs and incomes, and recent events. If you know, use "Fix this page".
Sources
- CTSomali · ctsomali.ca
- Global News, 2015 · globalnews.ca
- CanadaHelps · canadahelps.org
- Calgary Police Service · calgary.ca
Gathered in our research record “Community profiles”. Wikipedia is used only as a backup.
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