A general trend emerging in the Canadian immigration scene reportedly indicates foreign-born newcomers firmly believe immigration is fundamental to the country’s economy, culture and society. However, the positive response didn’t come without the majority of newcomers asserting their strong stance on “stricter regulation,” either.
Canada’s newcomers agreeing with immigration integration, still want stricter rules
According to a recent Ipsos and Institute for Canadian Citizenship study of permanent resident and citizen who have been in Canada for 10 years or less, 7 out of 10 newcomers surveyed saw eye to eye about the government imposing “stricter regulation” despite supporting immigrant integration.
On the other hand, two-thirds claimed that immigration is good for the Canadian economy, according to Mauricio Vieira, vice-president at Ipsos, who added that the poll’s findings didn’t simply offer a single-minded repudiation of immigration.
Responses for the study were collected through Ipsos and the Institute for Canadian Citizenship’s (ICC) Canoo app, which has been described as a verified newcomer platform for permanent residents and citizens.
Did Canadian opinion about immigration change?
Early findings in a similar 2024 Newcomer Perspective Study by Ipsos and the ICC found that 89% of newcomers feel welcomed in Canada despite facing challenges in the early years. Preliminary discoveries also noted that 68% of newcomers chose housing as a top concern from a list of 20 concerns, followed by interest rates and inflation (44%), healthcare (39%) and unemployment and jobs (26%).
Even as the vast majority felt welcomed in the country, they continued to feel fairly challenged by other aspects. Eight in ten newcomers said that Canada turned out worse than expected when it came to affordable housing access. The country also fell short of expectations for newcomers as a place to get ahead financially (56% worse vs 22% better) and as a place to make a good income (51% worse vs 23% better).
As highlighted in the Ipsos study, Canadian public opinion is no longer about a black-and-white rejection of immigration. However, the situation wasn’t as favourable a few years ago. An Environics Institute study in 2024 showed that 58% of Canadians said the country accepts too many immigrants.
Consequently, the permanent resident caps for 2025, 2026 and 2027 were lowered, with Ottawa announcing it would also bring down the volume of temporary residents to 5% of the population by the end of 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or tax advice. Immigration laws and government policies are subject to frequent change without notice. While we strive to provide accurate updates, readers are strongly advised to verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or government portal of the respective country. Financial Express is not responsible for any decisions made based on this information. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified immigration attorney or a certified professional advisor.