United Kingdom Canadian community

Canadians live in the United Kingdom for a variety of reasons. Some veterans of World War I or World War II stayed in Great Britain after the war ended, and settled down and raised a family. The children are Canadians with British citizenship. Other Canadians may be living in Britain temporarily for employment or university study. During the tech boom of the late 90's, large numbers of Canadians moved to the UK to work in the sector. Since the late 90's a large number of younger Canadians have moved to the UK as lawyers, accountants and investment bankers.

There are many clubs, organizations and networks which can be contacted by Canadians in Britain for information, friendship and support.

A gentleman's club, "The Canada Club", has been established in the United Kingdom since 1810. [http://www.canadaclub.co.uk/history.html (external link here)] . The Canada Club, which no longer confines its membership to gentlemen, is the oldest speaking club in the UK.

Another such club is the "Cambridge Canadian Club" - "Since 1948, Canadians at Cambridge have met for fun and learning, made friendships and contacts, and celebrated their Canadian-ness together at CCC events." [http://www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cdnclub/ (external link here)] .

Younger Canadian expatriates in London have set up "Network Canada" [http://www.networkcanada.org (external link here)] .

The Canada/UK Chamber of Commerce provides an important link between the Canadian and UK business communities. [http://www.canada-uk.org/ (external link here)] .

"The Canada UK Colloquia" is held alternately in each of the two countries and aims to "increase knowledge and educate the public about the advantages to be drawn from a close and dynamic relationship between the two countries." [http://www.canada-uk.net/Canada-UK/index.html (external link here)]

"The Canada House Cine-Club" is Britain's only Canadian film club. With a 52 seat screening room at Canada House, Trafalgar Square, London, the club is a vital outlet for Canadian film in the UK. [http://www.canadahousecineclub.co.uk (external link here)]

"The Canadian Women's Club" was founded in 1932 by two Canadian women. The first meeting attracted 142 women and the membership rapidly expanded. After World War II the club decided to support Canadian veterans living in Britain and to raise funds, held a ball in 1952 to launch the Maple Leaf Trust, a UK registered charity. The annual event, the Maple Leaf Ball, has since been replaced by the Thanksgiving Ball, organized by Network Canada. In 1967, to celebrate Canada's Centennial, the Canadian Women's Club launched the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund, which continues to provide scholarships for outstanding Canadian students studying in the United Kingdom. Both the Veterans' Support Committee and the Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund are funded directly through the Maple Leaf Trust. The Canadian Women's Club had over 200 members as of June 2008 and acts as the administrator of the Maple Leaf Trust. [http://www.canadianwomenlondon.org (external link here)]

Other Contacts:

* [http://canadian.meetup.com/groups/ Expat Canadian Meetup Groups]
* [http://www.canadianscholarshipfund.co.uk/ Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund - Funds for Canadians to study in the UK]
* [http://www.acu.ac.uk/ Association of Commonwealth Universities]
* [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/united_kingdom/ The Canadian High Commission in London, England]
* [http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/united_kingdom/canadainuk-en.asp Canadian Activities in the United Kingdom]
* [http://www.genealogytoday.com/uk/columns/westwood/index.html Atlantic crossing genealogy information]
* [http://www.genealogylinks.net/canada/ Canadian genealogy links]
* [http://www2.britishcouncil.org/canada/canada-education.htm Canadian options to study in the UK]
* [http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/links.htm#canadianland Canadian land forces in the D-Day invasion 1944]
* [http://www.thecanadapage.org/LifeInLondon.htm Life In London - Blog of a Canadian studying at the London School of Economics in the UK]