A recent survey by the Environics Institute revealed a significant increase in the number of Canadians, especially Conservative voters, expressing concerns about the volume of immigrants being admitted by the federal government. The overall positive sentiment towards welcoming newcomers in Canada is diminishing, largely due to a notable shift in Conservative voters’ attitudes towards the immigration system.
The survey indicated 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 striking 82%. This figure surpasses the general sentiment among Canadians, with 56% expressing similar concerns about the level of immigration this year, marking a substantial surge over the same period.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at Environics Institute, highlighted the rapid change in public opinion regarding immigration post-pandemic. The surge in newcomers during the previous Liberal government’s tenure, resulting in an annual population growth of approximately one million individuals for three consecutive years, has strained the housing market, healthcare facilities, and tested the patience of Canadians, particularly Conservatives.
Although there has been a slight increase in Liberal and NDP voters expressing reservations about the government’s immigration policies post-COVID, the most significant shift in sentiment has been observed among Conservative supporters. Neuman emphasized the widening gap in views on immigration among Conservative, Liberal, and NDP voters, marking a record divergence according to Environics’ long-standing surveys.
While the reasons behind the changing attitudes vary, the survey found that frustration with the government’s management of immigration issues and concerns about the economic and housing impacts of high immigration levels were the most commonly cited factors. Neuman clarified that the opposition was not rooted in racial prejudice or xenophobia, and only a small minority of skeptics cited cultural threats as a reason to advocate for reduced immigration levels.
Moreover, recent polls by Nanos Research and Abacus Data have also indicated a growing trend of support for limiting the number of new immigrants in Canada. Former Conservative immigration minister Jason Kenney criticized the Liberal government for mishandling the immigration system, leading to a surge in international students and temporary foreign workers. He emphasized the need to restore public trust by reducing immigration intake and addressing system flaws.
In response to the shifting public opinion, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has proposed stringent measures, including enforcing “hard caps” on newcomers, ending the Temporary Foreign Worker program, and cracking down on fraudulent refugee claims. The party’s immigration critic, Michelle Rempel Garner, has called for stricter eligibility criteria for birthright citizenship to prevent the birth of “anchor babies” to foreign nationals without legal status.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged the need for a more sustainable and focused immigration approach, recognizing the current system’s shortcomings. The Conservatives’ renewed focus on immigration policy contrasts with their previous silence on the issue, reflecting a more assertive stance in response to evolving public sentiment.
Political experts suggest that while there is growing support within the Conservative base for a revised immigration strategy, the party must tread carefully to avoid alienating new Canadians whose support is crucial for electoral success. Past controversial Conservative policies on immigration have led to electoral setbacks, prompting a cautious approach in addressing immigration concerns while appealing to a broad voter base.
