Following the War of 1812, immigration to Canada grew significantly. Immigrants were drawn to Canada by the promise of free land, with much of land being transferred from the British Crown and colonial military forces returning from the war. New settlers were attracted mostly to the economy opportunities and protective citizenship of the British Crown in Canada.
In response, the Canadian government began to actively encourage immigration, offering subsidies and inducements to the prospective settlers. These laws, combined with advances in transportation technology and the availability of inexpensive land, made it easy for a wave of European immigrants to make their way to Canada by the late 19th century.
The new immigrants also brought with them their culture, religions, and language, enriching the already diverse Canadian population.