The Austrian Community​

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The first Austrians to come to Canada were among the German-speaking agricultural workers from Galicia, who arrived from Austria-Hungary in the 1880s and settled in the Canadian West. With the dissolution of the multi-ethnic Habsburg empire and the creation of the German-speaking Republic of Austria in 1918, Austrians fled the country’s turbulent political situation to find opportunities in other countries. Some came to Canada in the late 1920s. Other refugees followed in 1938 after the “Anschluss,” the incorporation of their homeland into Hitler’s Germany.

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In 1949, Austrian Club Edelweiss grew out of the Society for Austrian Relief, organized to help Austrians struggling with post-war economic problems. Members of the club were part of a large wave of immigration to Canada that occurred between 1946 and 1955 as Austrians left a homeland occupied by Great Britain, France, the United States, and the USSR. The Club celebrated its 60th anniversary in the year 2010.

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As Austria recovered from its economic and political problems, immigration to Canada slowed down in the 1960s and ’70s. Today, there are approximately 10,000 Canadians of Austrian origin living in Toronto, and members of the community have contributed to the city in the fields of music, decorative arts, and recreation.

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Places to Go

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Austrians are known for their soups, schnitzels, and pastries. Dumpling garnished broths include rindsuppe with leberknoedl (a combination of meat stock and liver). Other dishes feature knoedl (dumplings made of flour, breadcrumbs, onions, and smoked bacon). Among meat dishes, veal ranks highest and is the basis of wiener schnitzel (veal pounded thin, breaded and sautéed to crispness). Backhendl (fried chicken), spicy stuffed peppers and cabbages, and tafelspitz (a boiled beef dish) served with horseradish are among the zestier dishes. Austrian pastries found in Toronto restaurants and pastry shops include cakes, cream puffs, fruit tarts and sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam filling).

 

The Old Country Inn, (Tel. 905-477-2715, www.oldcountryinn.ca, 198 Main St., Unionville), resembles an Austrian country inn. The family-style restaurant was opened in 1978 by Hans Klebesitz and is located in a converted century-old house decorated with flowers, stained-glass windows with Austrian crests, and a brightly lit wintergarden. Hearty meals include various schnitzels, goulash, sausages, and steaks, and the Schlachtplatte—which includes schnitzel, pork loin, sausages, home fries, and sauerkraut. The dessert menu offers Viennese-style ice cream along with Black Forest cake and homemade strudel.

 

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Religious Centres, Schools and Other Institutions

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The majority of Austrians are Roman Catholic. A small group is Protestant.

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Holidays and Celebrations

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AUSTRIAN NATIONAL DAY on October 26, is one of the most important holidays for the community. It commemorates Austria’s declaration of neutrality and the restoration of Austria’s sovereignty and independence on October 26, 1955.

See Holidays and Celebrations in Glossary.

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Media

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NEUE WELT, German language bi-weekly newspaper, (Tel. 416-237-0591, Fax 416-237-9590, www.neueweltonline.com, 2 Billingham Rd., Suite 203). Publisher & Editor-in-chief: Karsten Mertens 

 

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Organizations

 

• BURGENLAENDISCHE GEMEINSCHAFT, (10 Royal Orchard Blvd., Box 53032, Thornhill). President: Helmut Jandrisits.

• STEIRER KLUB-INC., (Tel. 416-621-4384, Fax 905-238-6122, 56 Hagersville Court). President: Karl Vogl.

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Consulates, Trade Commissions and Tourist Bureaus

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• AUSTRIAN CONSULATE GENERAL, (Tel. 416-967-3348, 30 St. Clair Avenue W., Suite 1402). Hon. Vice Consul General: Stephen LAUTENS

• AUSTRIAN TRADE COMMISSION, (Tel. 416-967-3348, www.austriantrade.ca, 30 St. Clair Avenue W., Suite 1402). Trade Commissioner Gregor POSTL