Maple News reports that public sentiment toward immigration in Canada has cooled over the past year, as revealed in the latest annual study conducted by the Environics Institute in collaboration with the Century Initiative. The shift appears influenced by concerns over economic pressures and infrastructure challenges rather than immigration itself.
The nation’s population surpassed 40 million this year, largely due to international migration, which accounted for 96% of the growth. However, this rapid increase has coincided with intensified public discourse around housing shortages, overstretched healthcare systems, and broader economic insecurity. The report suggests these factors are fueling anxiety over immigration levels.
Between September 4 and 17, 2023, researchers interviewed 2,002 Canadians by phone to assess opinions on immigration and refugee policies. The margin of error for the sample is ±2.2 percentage points, indicating a high level of accuracy in capturing national attitudes.
One notable finding is that 40% of respondents now believe there is “too much” immigration — a significant 17-point increase from the previous year. Still, the majority (60%) either disagrees or remains neutral. Importantly, most respondents do not blame immigrants directly; rather, their concerns center on system readiness and government planning.
The researchers also found that Canadians largely continue to recognize the positive role immigrants play in the economy, with many agreeing that newcomers improve their communities. This continuation of general pro-immigration values suggests nuanced public opinion shaped by practical concerns more than ideological shifts.
The Environics Institute emphasizes that recent skepticism among Canadians is likely tied to national media coverage framing immigration as a contributing factor to Canada’s housing crisis — even though such beliefs may not be rooted in personal experience.
Despite growing caution, findings indicate that immigration is not considered the top national problem. Canadians remain broadly optimistic about its long-term benefits and maintain support for inclusive policies, though more are now asking for balanced, well-managed growth.