A recent survey conducted by Environics Institute reveals a significant shift in Canadian attitudes towards immigration, particularly among Conservative voters. The survey indicates a notable increase in the number of Canadians, especially Conservative supporters, who believe that the government is allowing too many immigrants into the country.
Over the past five years, the proportion of Conservative voters expressing concerns about excessive immigration has doubled, rising from 41% in 2020 to a striking 82% in the latest survey. This surge in apprehension among Conservative voters surpasses the overall national sentiment, with 56% of Canadians expressing similar concerns.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at Environics Institute, noted a remarkable and rapid change in public opinion regarding immigration post-pandemic. The surge in immigration under the previous Liberal government, which led to an annual population growth of approximately one million people for three consecutive years, has strained various sectors such as housing and healthcare, fueling discontent among Canadians, particularly Conservatives.
While there has been a slight uptick in Liberal and NDP voters expressing reservations about immigration post-COVID, the widening gap in opinions among different political affiliations is unprecedented. Factors contributing to this shift include dissatisfaction with the government’s management of immigration issues and concerns about the economic and housing impacts of high immigration levels.
Despite the growing opposition to current immigration levels, there is no indication of underlying racial bias or xenophobia driving these sentiments. Neuman emphasized that only a small minority of immigration skeptics cited concerns about threats to Canadian culture as a reason for advocating reduced immigration levels, and there is little disparity in opinions between first-generation Canadians and those born in the country.
The changing public sentiment towards immigration is not unique to Environics’ findings. Other polling firms, such as Nanos Research and Abacus Data, also report a significant decline in support for current immigration policies. This shift has prompted the Conservative Party to propose stricter immigration measures, including hard caps on newcomers, ending the Temporary Foreign Worker program, and cracking down on fraudulent refugee claims.
Political observers note that the Conservatives are navigating a delicate balance in addressing immigration issues, aiming to appeal to their base while avoiding alienating new Canadian voters. The party’s evolving stance on immigration reflects a broader shift in Canadian political discourse, signaling a more contentious approach to immigration policy than in previous years.