A recent poll conducted by Environics Institute reveals a notable increase in the number of Canadians expressing concerns about the level of immigration allowed by the federal government. This shift is particularly pronounced among Conservative voters. The traditional Canadian perspective of viewing immigration as a positive force is eroding, largely due to a significant shift in the attitudes of most Conservative supporters towards a more negative stance on the immigration system.
The survey indicates that the percentage of Conservative voters who believe there is an excessive influx of immigrants has doubled over the past five years, soaring from 41% in 2020 to a staggering 82% — marking the highest figure ever reported by Environics for any demographic group in its 48-year history of tracking public opinions on this issue. In comparison, the overall proportion of Canadians expressing concerns about high immigration levels stands at 56% this year, showing a sharp increase over the same five-year period.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at Environics Institute, highlighted a remarkable and swift shift in public opinion regarding immigration post-pandemic. The surge in immigration under the previous Liberal government, which led to an annual population growth of around one million individuals for three consecutive years, has strained various sectors such as housing, healthcare, and tested the patience of Canadians, particularly drawing negative reactions from Conservative followers.
While there has been a slight increase in Liberal and NDP voters expressing reservations about the government’s immigration policies post-COVID, these figures have actually decreased marginally over the last year. Neuman emphasized the widening gap in attitudes towards immigration among different political affiliations, indicating that the divergence between Conservative, Liberal, and NDP voters is currently at its widest point on record.
The poll findings suggest that the primary reasons cited for growing dissatisfaction with the immigration system include frustration with the government’s management of the issue and concerns about the economic and housing impacts of the influx of immigrants. Neuman clarified that the opposition to high immigration levels is not rooted in racial bias or xenophobia, with only a small fraction of skeptics attributing their stance to the perceived threat to Canadian culture. Moreover, the survey revealed minimal disparity in opinions between first-generation Canadians and those born in the country.
Recent research by Nanos Research and Abacus Data also underscores the trend of diminishing support for high immigration levels in Canada. The issue, once considered marginal in political discourse, has now emerged as a significant national concern, with a substantial portion of voters ranking immigration among their top priorities. Former Conservative immigration minister, Jason Kenney, criticized the Trudeau government for what he termed as a failure to uphold a pro-immigration consensus and advocated for stricter measures to restore public trust in the immigration system.
The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, is advocating for stringent policies such as imposing “hard caps” on newcomers beyond the current government’s proposals, discontinuing the Temporary Foreign Worker program, and cracking down on fraudulent refugee claims. The party’s immigration critic, Michelle Rempel Garner, is pushing for tighter eligibility criteria for birthright citizenship to prevent the birth of “anchor babies” to foreign nationals lacking legal status in Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged the need for a more focused and sustainable approach to immigration, signaling a potential shift in immigration policies.
Political analysts suggest that the Conservatives are adapting to the shifting public sentiment on immigration by proposing a new set of policy measures after maintaining relative silence on the issue during the peak of immigration levels in the previous year. The party is adopting a more assertive tone in its criticism of the government, reflecting a departure from the usual discourse in Canadian politics. However, the Conservatives face a delicate balance in navigating the immigration debate, considering the potential impact on their support base among new Canadians, whose backing is crucial for electoral success.
Overall, the evolving landscape of public opinion on immigration in Canada underscores the need for policymakers to address concerns about the immigration system’s sustainability and economic implications while ensuring a balanced approach that aligns with the diverse views of the population.