A recent poll by Environics Institute reveals a notable increase in the number of Canadians, particularly Conservative voters, who believe the federal government is allowing too many immigrants into the country. The general consensus on the benefits of welcoming newcomers is diminishing, largely influenced by a significant shift among Conservative supporters towards a more negative stance on immigration.
The survey indicates that the proportion of Conservative voters expressing concerns about excessive immigration has doubled in the past five years, surging from 41% in 2020 to a striking 82% in the latest poll. This figure surpasses the overall national sentiment, with 56% of Canadians stating that there are too many immigrants entering the country, a notable rise over the same five-year period.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at Environics Institute, highlights a remarkable shift in public opinion regarding immigration following the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in newcomers during the previous Liberal government’s tenure, leading to an annual population growth of approximately one million individuals for three consecutive years, has strained various sectors including housing and healthcare, fostering discontent among many Canadians.
While there has been a slight increase in Liberal and NDP voters expressing concerns about excessive immigration post-pandemic, the divergence in opinions among Conservative, Liberal, and NDP supporters has widened significantly. The primary reasons cited for the growing opposition to immigration policies include dissatisfaction with the government’s management of the issue and concerns about its economic and housing impacts.
Notably, the opposition to high immigration levels is not predominantly driven by racial bias or xenophobia, with only a small fraction of skeptics attributing their stance to cultural threats. Moreover, the survey indicates that both first-generation Canadians and those born in the country hold similar views on immigration, suggesting a nuanced perspective across different demographic groups.
The shifting attitudes towards immigration are not unique to Environics’ findings. Nanos Research and Abacus Data have also observed a substantial decline in support for current immigration levels, with a significant portion of Canadians advocating for reductions in new immigrant intake. This changing landscape has prompted the Conservative Party to propose stringent measures, including hard caps on newcomers, tightening birthright citizenship eligibility, and addressing issues related to international students and temporary foreign workers.
Former Conservative immigration minister Jason Kenney emphasizes the need for restoring trust in the immigration system by reducing intake and combating fraudulent practices. The government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, acknowledges the unsustainable nature of current immigration policies and signals a shift towards a more focused approach in managing immigration levels.
Political analysts believe that the Conservative Party’s renewed focus on immigration policy reflects a strategic response to evolving public sentiments and aligns with the party’s base preferences. However, they caution against a potentially alienating approach that could impact voter support, particularly among immigrant communities, emphasizing the delicate balance required in addressing immigration issues within the Canadian political landscape.