Support for Immigration in Canada Drops for Second Year in a Row: Key Findings from 2024 Report

Support for immigration in Canada has reached its lowest level in 25 years, according to the latest annual report by the Environics Institute. The study, which surveys Canadians on various social, economic, and governmental issues, shows that the perception of immigration has shifted significantly since the pandemic.

Immigration Support Hits a New Low

The report highlights that in 2024, six in 10 Canadians believe that the country accepts too many immigrants, compared to just four in 10 in 2023. This 14-percentage point increase marks the lowest level of support for immigration since 1998.

Two years ago, following the COVID-19 pandemic, support for immigration was at an all-time high. However, since then, Canada’s economy has bounced back, recovering 138% of the jobs lost during the pandemic, while unemployment has risen. This shift in the economic landscape has played a role in recent changes to immigration policy, including the cap on international students and adjustments to temporary resident levels in the Immigration Levels Plan.

Regional and Age-Based Differences in Support

The study also reveals regional variations in immigration support. The Prairie provinces showed the highest levels of concern, with 63% of respondents from Alberta and 68% from Manitoba and Saskatchewan agreeing that immigration levels are too high.

Interestingly, younger Canadians (under 45) also showed less support for immigration than in previous years, with a 20-point increase in negative sentiment. However, there was little difference in opinions between Canadian-born citizens and first-generation Canadians.

Concerns Around Cost of Living and Government Management

Respondents pointed to the rising cost of living and housing affordability as major reasons for their declining support. Additionally, 21% of respondents felt that poor government management of immigration is a problem, up 10% from last year.

Prioritizing Immigration Categories

Even among those who believe there is too much immigration, less than 1% felt that no immigration should be allowed. Instead, Canadians seem to favor certain types of immigration. The majority of respondents (73%) supported prioritizing immigrants who can fill high-skilled, in-demand jobs, and 64% agreed that education should also be a key factor.

However, support for welcoming refugees fleeing conflict has dropped to 47%, and fewer Canadians prioritize family reunification, with only 33% supporting current levels.

Views on Immigration and the Economy

While concerns about immigration are rising, most Canadians (seven in 10) still believe that immigration has a positive impact on the economy. This support is strongest among university-educated Canadians, first-generation immigrants, and those who support the Liberal and NDP parties.

On the other hand, only 21% of Conservative Party supporters believe that immigration positively impacts the economy.

The Link Between Immigration and Crime

The report also found an increase in the number of Canadians who believe immigration is linked to rising crime rates. This sentiment was especially strong in Alberta, where nearly half (48%) of respondents agreed with the statement, a 14% increase from last year. Similar trends were seen in Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

Canadians Still See Value in Immigration

Despite the decline in support for high immigration levels, many Canadians still recognize the positive impact immigrants have on their communities. In British Columbia, 42% of respondents expressed positive views, and nationally, 70% of respondents who support immigration say they value the cultural diversity and multiculturalism that immigrants bring.

This year's report paints a complex picture of immigration sentiment in Canada, revealing both concerns and continued appreciation for the role immigrants play in society.