Canadians souring on immigration: poll

By Mata Press Services

Canadians are growing more negative in their views towards immigration, according to a new national survey conducted by Research Co.

The poll found that 44% of Canadians now believe immigration has a mostly negative effect in the country, up 6 percentage points since a similar survey in October 2023. In contrast, 42% view immigration's impact as mostly positive, a 3-point decrease over the same period.

The survey reveals a stark generational divide, with 55% of those aged 18-34 holding positive views on immigration, compared to only 37% of those 55 and older and 32% aged 35-54.

Moreover, 46% of Canadians want to see the number of legal immigrants allowed into Canada decrease, an increase of 7 points. Just 31% want immigration levels to stay the same, while 15% want an increase.

Majorities in Atlantic Canada (53%), Ontario (53%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), and British Columbia (48%) favour reducing legal immigration.

Alberta (42%) and Quebec (34%) showed lower levels of support for decreasing immigration.

"About two in five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party or NDP in the last federal election would decrease legal immigration to Canada," said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.

"The proportion jumps to 63% among those who supported the Conservatives."

The poll also revealed Canadians remain divided on whether to view the nation as a cultural mosaic, where differences are preserved (44%), or a melting pot where immigrants assimilate (42%).

Two-thirds (66%) still believe immigrants' hard work and talent make Canada better, while 65% think they should adopt Canadian values.

Men (50%) and Conservative voters (58%) tended to favour the melting pot concept, while women (48%), Liberals (48%) and NDP voters (54%) were more likely to prefer the mosaic model.

Amidst this shift towards immigration, the federal government is seeking Canadians’ help in shaping its coming plan for how many newcomers should be welcomed to the country.

For the first time, officials are including in the plan the targets for temporary residents, whose population has soared from 1.4 million two years ago to today’s 2.5 million: About 42 percent of them are here on study permits, 53 percent on work permits and five percent as asylum seekers, reported the Toronto Star.

“These surveys and consultations are more important than ever before because the context this time around is very different than it was even from last year,” said Lou Janssen Dangzalan, vice president of policy at the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association.

“They used to be such a mundane topic but now it’s become a hot-button issue because it takes on a new dimension with temporary residents and then the economic hardship in Canada. What does that mean?”

Canada’s current 2023-2025 immigration levels plan proposes to increase the number of permanent residents Canada welcomes annually to 485,000 in 2024, 500,000 in 2025 and 500,000 in 2026. The survey seeks input to decide if the next two years’ intake should be adjusted, and to inform new targets for 2027. The 2023 target was 465,000.

“We’re seeking your views on the balance among different categories and programs, and how immigration can best support Canada from multiple perspectives,” said the introduction of the survey, which targets governments, organizations and interest groups.

The two-month online consultation, open until June 30, contains 27 questions and asks respondents, among many things:

• To rank the objectives of the immigration system: whether those are to address economic needs, reunite families, increase population, uphold humanitarian commitments, sustain regional communities or enrich diversity.

• If the 2026 target of 500,000 permanent residents, or 1.25 percent of the population, is appropriate.

• If spots should be prioritized for economic, family or humanitarian classes.

• To identify the top investments required to bring in more immigrants to their local community, ranging from public transit to housing, schools, health-care services and internet access.

Calls are also mounting for a Royal Commission to study what the country wants from its immigration system in a non-partisan manner, independent from politicians and civil servants. They said the objectives of international education and foreign worker programs should be part of the review.

The next immigration levels plan will be released in the fall.

Meanwhile, a new global trends report released last week by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Canada received 146,800 new claims by asylum seekers in 2023, up from 94,000 the year before.

Only four countries were ahead of Canada: the United States (1.2 million), Germany (329,100), Egypt (183,100) and Spain (163,200).

Last year was the first time Canada ranked in the top five in at least six years. In 2022, the country was in ninth place.

The number of displaced people has increased every year for 12 years, according to the United Nations (UN). The number of forcibly displaced people surged to 117.3 million in 2023 from 108.4 million in 2022. As of May, the UN agency said the number had already risen to 120 million, an eight percent increase compared to last year.

“Behind these stark and rising numbers lie countless human tragedies,” Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said in a UNHCR press release issued Thursday.

The report says 158,700 refugees were resettled in 2023. Canada accepted nearly 51,100 of them, the majority of whom arrived from Afghanistan (16,600), Eritrea (9,200), Syria (8,400), and Somalia (4,300).