Guyanese in Toronto: How Canada Became a Second Home for Thousands
Explore Toronto's large Guyanese community, its culture, institutions, second-generation identity and place in the wider diaspora.
Toronto is one of the places where Guyanese culture has become part of everyday Canadian life.
Quick answer: The Greater Toronto Area is one of the world's largest Guyanese diaspora hubs. Statistics Canada's 2021 Census counted 65,305 people reporting Guyanese ethnic or cultural origin in the Toronto census metropolitan area.
Why Toronto became a major Guyanese destination
Migration grew through family reunification, work, education and established Caribbean community networks. Once relatives settled, later arrivals often had somewhere familiar to land.
Where Guyanese community life shows up
Guyanese life in and around Toronto is visible through restaurants, bakeries, groceries, churches, mandirs, masjids, cricket, cultural associations, Independence celebrations and family events.
A community that is not one ethnicity or religion
Guyanese Canadians include Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese, mixed families, Indigenous heritage, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and people from every region of Guyana.
2026 and the Diamond Jubilee
Guyana's 60th Independence anniversary created another major moment for the Canadian diaspora. Community events in Toronto recognized Guyanese achievement in education, business, philanthropy, entertainment and sport.
Why Toronto matters to second-generation Guyanese
For many children born in Canada, Guyana arrives through food, grandparents, family stories, religious life, music and community events before it arrives through travel.
For practical ideas on maintaining that connection across generations, read How to Stay Connected to Guyanese Culture When You Live Abroad.
Another major diaspora hub is Little Guyana in Queens, where Guyanese culture has become part of the everyday landscape of Richmond Hill, New York.
Frequently asked questions
How many Guyanese live in Toronto?
Statistics Canada's 2021 Census counted 65,305 people in the Toronto census metropolitan area reporting Guyanese ethnic or cultural origin. That figure describes the 2021 census population and should not be treated as a current 2026 headcount.
Is Toronto one of the largest Guyanese communities outside Guyana?
Yes. Canada has long been one of the major destinations for Guyanese migrants, and the Greater Toronto Area is an important center of Guyanese community life.
How do Guyanese traditions continue in Toronto?
They continue through family life, food, faith communities, cricket, cultural organizations, businesses, national celebrations and connections with relatives in Guyana and elsewhere in the diaspora.
Sources & further reading: Statistics Canada — 2021 Census, Toronto CMA; Guyana Chronicle — 2026 Guyanese-Canadian recognition.
Photo credit: Cornflower123, “Toronto Skyline March 2024,” Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. Source file.
Guyanese Swag Insider
Keep the connection going.
Get the Guyanese updates you actually care about—stories, businesses, events, opportunities, travel resources and new products from Guyana and the diaspora.
More From The Guyanese Edit
The Guyanese Edit
Little Guyana in Queens: How Richmond Hill Became a Home Away From Home
Explore Little Guyana in Richmond Hill, Queens: Liberty Avenue, Guyanese businesses, faith institutions, food and the diaspora community that made it home.
Read the story : Little Guyana in Queens: How Richmond Hill Became a Home Away From Home
The Guyanese Edit
First Trip to Guyana for the Diaspora: A Heritage Travel Guide
A first-trip guide for Guyanese abroad who want more than sightseeing: family places, Georgetown, heritage research, Kaieteur, food and practical planning.
Read the story : First Trip to Guyana for the Diaspora: A Heritage Travel Guide
The Guyanese Edit
How to Stay Connected to Guyanese Culture When You Live Abroad
Practical ways for Guyanese abroad and second-generation families to stay connected through family stories, food, language, holidays, music, community and travel.
Read the story : How to Stay Connected to Guyanese Culture When You Live Abroad