Shifting Borders: Canadian Attitudes Towards Immigration

Last week, Friedrich Ebert Foundation Canada proudly published our joint immigration report, Shifting Borders, developed in collaboration with the Broadbent Institute. Released during the Broadbent Summit, a cornerstone event in Canadian progressive policy discussions, the report explores the intersection of immigration, public perception, and voting intentions in Canada. Given Canada's history as a nation shaped by immigration, this analysis provides essential insights ahead of the upcoming election.

Canada’s long-standing consensus on immigration, with decades of relatively open immigration policy, has built a multicultural society, with Canadians coming to the country from around the world. But in recent years, opinions on Canada’s immigration policy have shifted. The consensus appears to be under threat. While Canadians still view immigration more positively than negatively, the ground is shifting under our feet. Understanding the nature of Canadians’ changing attitudes, the nuances behind them, and the causes behind the shift is critical to reversing the trend and bolstering confidence in Canada’s immigration system.

Canadians are more likely to view immigration positively than negatively, but opinion is divided. 45% of Canadians believe immigration has had a positive impact on Canada, while 32% believe the impact has been negative. 22% of Canadians were neutral. Opinion on immigration is shifting rapidly. Over the past year, 38% of Canadians have felt that their opinion on immigration has shifted towards preferring less immigration. Still, 45% of Canadians feel their opinions on immigration over the past year have not changed. Views on the benefits and drawbacks of immigration are divided. Most Canadians believe that immigration has contributed to pressure on the housing market (69%) and social programs like healthcare and education (64%). However, 50% also say that immigration helps to grow Canada’s workforce and keep our social programs sustainable.

Housing and healthcare strain are dominant concerns – and immigration is seen by many as exacerbating shortages of housing and healthcare workers. However, a sizable portion of respondents sees immigrants as unfairly scapegoated. Canadians support immigration policies that prioritize highskill, in-demand sectors such as healthcare and construction. There is skepticism about the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and concern that it harms both Canadians and foreign workers. There’s clear support for immigration’s contributions to culture and the economy. Canadians value cultural and social diversity, and the skills that immigrants bring help fill labour shortages in key industries. Canadians remain open to arguments that immigration is important for the economy and to enrich Canada’s cultural and social diversity. Canadians are also open to the argument that certain immigration programs need reform, especially if they contribute to housing and healthcare crises.

You can find the comprehensive analysis below!