60 Percent of Canadians Oppose New Immigration: Poll

A new Canadian citizen holds a welcome booklet during a Canadian citizenship ceremony in Ottawa on Nov. 22, 2023. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby

The majority of Canadians polled say they are not in favour of new immigration, while opinions are divided on whether immigrants should give up their customs and traditions to assimilate to Canada, a new survey indicates.

The new Leger poll conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) found that 60 percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that “Canada needs new immigrants,” while 40 percent said Canada does.

Opposition to new immigration was highest in Alberta at 65 percent, followed by Ontario at 63 percent, Quebec at 61 percent, Manitoba and Saskatchewan at 60 percent, the Atlantic provinces at 56 percent, and British Columbia at 48 percent.

The poll found that immigrants were more supportive of newcomers than non-immigrants, with 52 percent of immigrants saying Canada needs new immigrants, compared to 37 percent of non-immigrants saying the same.

Those aged 18 to 24 and those aged 65 and older were the most likely to support new immigration in Canada, both at 46 percent. Meanwhile, those aged 25 to 64 were the least supportive of newcomers, ranging from 35 to 39 percent support, the poll indicated.

“As reflected in several public opinion surveys, the persistent pushback over the numbers of immigrants coming to Canada is often associated with concerns over the state of the economy, housing availability and the pressure migrants presumably exert on availability and access to services,” ACS President Jack Jedwab said in a Sept. 26 statement.

Customs and Traditions

The poll also found that Canadians are divided on whether immigrants should give up their customs and traditions to “become more like the majority” in the country, with 51 percent saying immigrants should and 49 percent disagreeing.

Quebecers were the most likely to agree, at 60 percent, followed by Alberta at 55 percent, the Atlantic provinces at 49 percent, Ontario at 48 percent, British Columbia at 47 percent, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan at 46 percent.

The poll indicated more males (59 percent) supported assimilation than females (44 percent). Meanwhile, older age groups were more likely to agree with assimilation, with 58 percent of those aged 65 and older saying immigrants should give up their customs, compared with 40 percent of those aged 18 to 24.

The poll also noted that Americans are “far less likely” to say immigrants should give up their customs and traditions to become more like the majority, with 51 percent of Canadians agreeing compared to only 23 percent of Americans.

The poll was conducted between Aug. 29 and 31, and surveyed 1,627 Canadians via a web panel. A similar sample would have a margin of error of +/- 2.52 percent, 19 times out of 20.

Public support for immigration has been falling in Canada in recent years. A Nanos survey conducted earlier this month found that 71 percent of Canadians said they would support or somewhat support reducing the number of immigrants into Canada.