The perception of immigration having a negative effect in Canada has increased for the second consecutive year.
Vancouver, BC [June 12, 2024] – The views of Canadians on immigration have become more negative over the past few months, a new Research Co. poll has found.
In the online survey of a representative national sample, 44% of Canadians think immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, up six points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2023.
A slightly smaller proportion of Canadians (42%, -3) say immigration is having a mostly positive effect in the country, while 14% (-3) are undecided.
While more than half of Canadians aged 18-to-34 hold positive views on immigration (55%, -3), the proportions are significantly lower among their counterparts aged 55 and over (37%, -12) and aged 35-to-54 (32%, -12).
This month, 46% of Canadians (+7) think the number of legal immigrants who are allowed to relocate in Canada should decrease. Just over three-in-ten (31%, -6) think there should be no change, while 15% (-2) want to increase legal immigration levels.
Majorities of Atlantic Canadians (53%) and Ontarians (also 53%) are in favour of reducing legal immigration levels in Canada. The proportions are lower in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (50%), British Columbia (48%), Alberta (42%) and Quebec (34%).
“About two-in-five Canadians who voted for the Liberal Party (41%) or the New Democratic Party (NDP) (39%) in the last federal election would decrease legal immigration to Canada,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion jumps to 63% among Canadians who supported the Conservative Party in 2021.”
Two thirds of Canadians (66%, -9) believe the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better, while 65% (=) think immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values.
As was the case last year, Canadians remain split when assessing two different concepts related to immigration. While 44% (-1) would prefer for Canada to be a mosaic, where cultural differences within Canadian society are valuable and should be preserved, 42% (=) would embrace the concept of the melting pot, where immigrants assimilate and blend into Canadian society.
There are some striking gender and ideological differences on this question. Men (50%) and Conservative voters (58%) favour the melting pot, while women (48%), Liberals (also 48%) and NDP voters (54%) are fonder of the mosaic.
Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on June 1 to June 3, 2024, among 1,001 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Find our data tables here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca