Immigration History >Ukrainians in Windsor

Arrival in Windsor

The growth of the Ukrainian community in Windsor and Essex County was small until 1921, at which time the number barely exceeded 200 individuals. It wasn't until 1921 that the Canadian census actually provided a category of people of Ukrainian descent. Prior to this, immigrants were classified according to the areas of Ukraine under Austrian, Russian, and Hungarian control. Therefore, an individual may have been labeled an Austrian or Russian when they actually should have been considered Ukrainian during this period of time. The population of Ukrainians soared during the boom years of the 1920's to exceed 2000 individuals by 1931. Prior to the amalgamation of the border cities in 1935, the 1921 census records the majority of Ukrainians as living in Ford City and Windsor. Finally, the Ukrainian community experienced the greatest absolute growth in the post-World War II period, with the number of both immigrants and Canadians of Ukrainian origin increasing to more than 5000 persons in Windsor and Essex County by 1951.

As more Ukrainians made Canada their home and raised second and third generation Ukrainian-Canadians, their migration into and out of Windsor and Essex County was influenced by changes in the Canadian economy. Of particular importance to the timing of the influx and the location of settlement of Ukrainians were economic developments specific to Windsor and Essex County. The industrialization of Windsor drew immigrants to this region, the most important factor being the growth of the automotive industry (including Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and the related factories and service industry. Another important feature of the Windsor and Essex County region that made it such an attractive location was the rich agricultural lands.

Because many of those who immigrated to Canada spoke only Ukrainian, they looked for urban centres where there were large populations of Ukrainians. Once here, the establishment of many Ukrainian institutions, the two churches (Sts. Vladimir and Olga Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral) and their auxiliary organizations was a priority. These organizations provided the cultural, religious, political, social and economic bonds for their members as well as perpetuated the Ukrainian heritage in subsequent generations so that the language and culture was not lost or forgotten.