Canadians' Views on Immigration Remain Stable Despite Previous Spike

Strategic Insights -

Canadians have expressed concerns about immigration levels, with a recent poll suggesting that 56% of respondents agree that "Overall, there is too much immigration to Canada". However, this number has remained stable after a sharp increase over the past two years. The Environics Institute for Survey Research, in partnership with other groups, conducted a survey of 2,004 Canadians between September 8 and 21, with a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points.

Key Takeaways:

  • A majority of Canadians (56%) believe there is too much immigration to Canada, a number that has remained stable after a sharp increase over the past two years.
  • The partisan divide on immigration levels is widening, with supporters of the federal Conservatives being more likely to be critical of immigration levels compared to those who support the Liberals or New Democrats.
  • The top concerns among respondents who believe there is too much immigration include the system being poorly managed by government, negative impact on the economy, and pressure on housing prices and supply.
  • The poll found that 82% of Conservative supporters agree there is too much immigration, up 2 percentage points from 2024.
  • 40% of Liberal supporters and 57% of Bloc Québécois supporters agree there is too much immigration.
  • 60% of respondents think there are too many people coming to Canada who are not adopting Canadian values.
  • 81% of Canadians believe an immigrant can make just as good a citizen as someone born here.
  • 70% think the economic impact of immigration is positive.

Statistics:

  • 56% of respondents agree that there is too much immigration to Canada.
  • 38% disagree with the statement.
  • 82% of Conservative supporters agree there is too much immigration (up 2 percentage points from 2024).
  • 40% of Liberal supporters agreed there is too much immigration (down 5 percentage points from last year).
  • 57% of Bloc Québécois supporters agree there is too much immigration (up 7 percentage points from last year).
  • 60% of respondents think there are too many people coming to Canada who are not adopting Canadian values.

Sources:

  • Environics Institute for Survey Research
  • Telephone survey of 2,004 Canadians between September 8 and 21 (margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20).