[1][a] With the outbreak of riots and eventual civil war in Sri Lanka in 1983, Tamil migration to Canada increased significantly.
Between 1991 and 2001, Sri Lanka was the fifth largest source country of immigrants to Canada, after China, India, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
Saint-Laurent, QC - 2.03% (2,010) Much of the Tamil language media in Canada is based in Toronto, while some centres operate in Montreal.
A community magazine, Thamizhar Mathiyil (Amidst Tamils), has been published since 1990 and has grown to several hundred pages in length.
Ten alternative weekly Tamil language newspapers are distributed primarily in Toronto and Montreal.
Tamil candidates have participated in the political process representing various parties at municipal, provincial and federal level.
In 2011, Rathika Sitsabaiesan was elected as the first Tamil-Canadian Member of Parliament, as a New Democrat in Scarborough-Rouge River.
[16] During his time as a member, he has taken upon numerous initiatives in the Tamil Community and the Scarborough-Rouge River Riding as a whole.
Some of his achievements include introducing Bill 104, An Act to proclaim Tamil Genocide Education Week in Ontario.
[17] Previously, Logan Kanapathi was the first Tamil Canadian candidate to win election to large municipal government.
[citation needed] The community also undertook a recent campaign to help SickKids Hospital, which treats 100,000 children every year.
[23][24][25] Canada has attracted a number of internationally renowned writers from Sri Lanka, including Shyam Selvadurai.
This law is for remembering, celebrating and educating future generations about the inspirational roles that Tamil Canadians have played.
This Bill was passed to encourage Ontario to learn more about the Tamil Genocide that occurred in Sri Lanka.
[30] Dishes originating from all Tamil-speaking nations, including kothu roti, mutton rolls, idiyappam with coconut sambal, are popular among Tamil restaurants.