How the Italians Created Canada: From Giovanni Caboto to the Cultural Renaissance

From the moment explorer Giovanni Caboto stepped onto Canadian soil, Italians have left their footprints on Canadian history. In the 1700s, Italians including Alphonse and Henri de Tonti came to New France to trade with the Natives and settle the vast land. In the 1800s, Italian workers built the foundation for railways and highways into Canada's northern forests.

Today, Little Italy is a part of every major Canadian city. The Italian-Canadian vote is even credited with helping keep Canada together in Québec's sovereignty referendum.

This book captures the essence of what it means to be Italio-Canadian. It celebrates the Italian experience in Canada and the gifts we have brought to our chosen land. It filled me with pride for my rich heritage.

–Rita Chiarelli, blues musician

Multiculturalism and bilingualism are fine, as long as it is recognized that in the past adventurous people from Italy discovered and developed this land, and that in the present industrious people of Italian background continue to enrich this country through construction and creation...from arts and crafts to churches and concerts and cuisine and family life.

–John Robert Colombo, author and anthologist

This book gives our cultural mosaic, a portal into an unbiased Canadian history. A well-researched and informative body of work, that sets records straight! My children will be reading a more poignant look into the contributions made by Italians on Canada.

–Dominic Mancuso, Canadian musician

“As a Canadian of Italian heritage, I am deeply proud of both my country and the ethnic roots from which I came. How The Italians Created Canada is a welcome and comprehensive treatment of the historic and current contributions of both Italian immigrants and Italian-Canadians to the national mosaic.”

– Bob Lenarduzzi, president, Vancouver Whitecaps FC