Recent research in Canada reveals that nearly 60% of Canadians believe there are too many immigrants, leading to issues such as housing shortages and increased unemployment rates. This finding marks a significant shift, as it is the first time since 1998 that a clear majority has expressed negative views towards immigration, diverging from the more positive perspectives held over the past 25 years. Bloomberg reports that the country’s record population growth is exacerbating housing shortages, driving up rent prices, straining public services, and increasing unemployment.
Polling data indicates that the opposition to new immigrants has surged for the second consecutive year. This shift is particularly striking for a country that has historically welcomed immigrants. Since 2022, the percentage of Canadians against accepting new immigrants has jumped by 31 points, marking the most rapid change within a two-year span since tracking began in 1977.
Keith Neuman, the report’s author, points out that Canadians are not predominantly negative about immigrants themselves, unlike sentiments observed in some other nations. He emphasizes that the primary concern is how the national systems and governance can accommodate new immigrants effectively without causing significant disruption.
The record population growth has escalated housing shortages, increased rents, strained public services, and contributed to higher unemployment rates. These pressures challenge the long-held belief that a large influx of immigrants can position Canada favorably in the global competition for replacing an aging workforce.
In response to these challenges, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has begun to limit the number of international students and foreign workers and has significantly reduced the population of temporary residents. However, survey results indicate that these efforts have yet to reverse the sharp decline in support for immigration that began last year.
