In recent years, Canada has proudly upheld its image as one of the world’s most welcoming countries for newcomers. But a new Leger survey suggests that beneath the surface, Canadians’ attitudes toward immigration are shifting and not in favour of expansion.
According to the poll, conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies, a clear majority of Canadians 60 percent now say the country doesn’t need new immigrants. That’s a striking figure for a nation that has long celebrated diversity as part of its national identity. Support for new immigration is particularly low in Alberta (65%) and Ontario (63%), two provinces facing intense economic and housing pressures. Even in traditionally more open British Columbia, fewer than half of respondents supported the idea of welcoming more newcomers.
Interestingly, the strongest support for immigration comes from immigrants themselves: 52 percent believe Canada should continue bringing in new arrivals, compared to just 37 percent of non-immigrants. Age also plays a role. Young adults (18–24) and seniors (65+) are more supportive, while working-age Canadians those between 25 and 64 are the least enthusiastic. This suggests that everyday economic realities, like job competition and housing shortages, are shaping public opinion more than abstract ideals.
Jack Jedwab, president of the ACS, points out that this skepticism 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.” In other words, it’s not necessarily immigration itself that Canadians are reacting against, but the broader strain on systems that many feel are already stretched thin.
But the debate isn’t just about numbers it’s also about identity. The same poll found Canadians split almost evenly on whether immigrants should give up their customs and traditions to “become more like the majority.” Just over half (51%) agreed, while 49% disagreed. Quebecers were the most likely to support assimilation (60%), reflecting the province’s unique cultural and political dynamics.
What’s perhaps most striking is how Canadian attitudes differ from those in the United States. While 51% of Canadians say immigrants should assimilate, only 23% of Americans hold that view. For a country that prides itself on multiculturalism, this raises uncomfortable questions: Are Canadians becoming less tolerant, or are they simply grappling with practical concerns that multiculturalism doesn’t directly address?
The decline in support for immigration isn’t new. A Nanos survey earlier this month found that 71% of Canadians would support reducing immigration levels. Taken together, these numbers paint a picture of a country at a crossroads still proud of its diversity, but increasingly anxious about the pace and impact of immigration on daily life.
This shift in sentiment shouldn’t be dismissed as mere xenophobia. It’s a reflection of real issues: rising housing costs, long wait times for healthcare, and an economy that isn’t keeping up with population growth. Unless governments address these concerns head-on, public support for immigration will continue to erode, no matter how strong Canada’s multicultural ideals may be.
Canada has always prided itself on finding balance between openness and order, diversity and unity. The challenge now is to ensure that immigration policy is sustainable, fair, and responsive to the legitimate worries of Canadians. Ignoring these concerns risks deepening divides at a time when unity is more important than ever.
