ESTONIANS and their descendants in Canada hail from lands within the present-day independent republic of Estonia, which is located along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.

The first Estonians arrived at the end of the nineteenth century. Estonian fishermen established a small presence in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Estonian farmers attracted by the promise of free land built home-steads in Alberta at Barons, Eckville, Foremost, Stettler, Walsh, and near Sylvan Lake. The interwar period saw Admiral John Pitka, a hero of the Estonian War of Independence, establish in 1924 a short-lived settlement near Fort St. Francis, British Columbia. Estonian immigration to Canada gained considerable momentum only after the Second World War. Large-scale immigration took place between 1948 and 1951: 11,370 Estonians arrived in this country. These postwar immigrants, many well educated, first had to complete a period of manual or other work in the rural and outlying regions before moving to the major city centres.

The Estonian ethnocultural group in Canada, according to the 1996 census statistics, consisted of 22,695 persons. By far the largest concentration of Estonian Canadians was in Ontario where 15,440 individuals resided. Smaller concentrations were found in British Columbia with 3,715 and Alberta with 1,735.

Many newcomer professionals were quickly able to resume their chosen careers. Estonian engineers, physicians, chemists, and professors, for example, helped to fill the void when many Canadian professionals left to pursue lucrative opportunities in the United States. Other Estonian Canadians, in turn, re-entered the professional ranks after upgrading their qualifications or after learning new skills or occupations. The continued growth of the Canadian economy during the 1950s, coupled with the creation of a supportive Estonian Credit Union, led to a growing Estonian presence in construction and manufacturing, most notably in plastics and textiles.

Toronto has become the centre of the Estonian ethnocommunity's organizational and institutional life. The postwar founders of both the Estonian Federation and the Estonian Central Council made that city the site of their national headquarters. The community has also created a large number of local clubs and specialized associations. The Estonian Boy Scout and Girl Guide movement; summer camps; and music, song, and folk dance ensembles have played an important role over the years in promoting heritage language retention and cultural identity. Tartu College in Toronto, a private and independent residence for students at the University of Toronto, quickly became a gathering place for Estonian-Canadian post secondary school students and academic organizations. Estonian sports enthusiasts and athletes soon appeared at many Canadian recreational centres and sports arenas; many became important at YMCAs and YWCAs as coaches and instructors, most especially of sports popular in Europe. Estonian-Canadian gymnasts played a pivotal role in making modern rhythmic gymnastics a nationally and internationally known sport.