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Canadians

Canadians' Views on Immigration Remain Stable, Despite Widespread Concerns

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A recent survey by the Environics Institute for Survey Research found that a majority of Canadians, 56%, believe there is too much immigration in the country. This number has remained stable after a sharp rise over two previous years. The poll also highlighted a widening partisan divide on the issue, with Conservative supporters being much more likely to be critical of immigration levels compared to Liberal and NDP supporters. The survey was conducted among 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 in the country, which has remained stable after a sharp rise in the past two years.
  • The poll found a widening partisan divide on the issue, with Conservative supporters being much more likely to be critical of immigration levels (82% agree that there is too much immigration).
  • The main concerns cited by respondents for the perception of too much immigration include the system being poorly managed by government, the impact on the economy, and the pressure on housing prices and supply.
  • On a partisan basis, Liberal supporters' agreement on too much immigration dropped by five percentage points from last year (40%), while NDP supporters' agreement dropped by six percentage points (30%).
  • Toronto Metropolitan University professor Anna Triandafyllidou noted that the political polarization around immigration is a concern, and the results suggest public opinion is volatile and driven by economic or cost of living challenges.

Statistics:

  • 56% of respondents agreed that there is too much immigration in Canada.
  • 82% of Conservative supporters agree that there is too much immigration, up two percentage points from 2024.
  • 40% of Liberal supporters agree that there is too much immigration, down five percentage points from last year.
  • 30% of NDP supporters agree that there is too much immigration, down six percentage points from last year.
  • 57% of Bloc Québécois supporters agree that there is too much immigration, up seven percentage points from last year.
  • 60% of respondents think there are too many people coming to Canada who are not adopting Canadian values.
  • 81% of Canadians think an immigrant can make just as good a citizen as someone born here.
  • 70% think the economic impact of immigration is positive.

Sources:

  • Environics Institute for Survey Research
  • Globe and Mail, [link to article](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/investigations/canadians-say-there-is-too-much-immigration-as-poll-finds-wide-partisan-divide/article28951398/)

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