Austrian Canadians are Canadian citizens who are of Austrian ancestry or Austrian-born people who reside in Canada. According to the Canada 2011 Census there were 197,990 Canadians who claimed either full or partial Austrian ancestry.
Contents
Austrian Canadian communities can be found throughout the country but with a higher concentration mainly in Western Canada.
History
In the 17th century, soldiers from the Austro Hungarian Empire settled in New France. Numbers increased following the passing of the Staatsgrundgesetz (constitutional law) in 1867 which allowed free migration from the empire for civilians. Emigration to Canada increased throughout the late 19th century and into the early 20th, until this was tightened in 1914 at the onset of World War I.
Demographics
Austrian Canadian population by province and territory in Canada in 2011: