Public attitudes in Canada towards immigration remain wary following the federal government’s decision to reduce immigration targets for 2025 by nearly 100,000. A new survey commissioned by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) found that a majority of Canadians still believe the reduced level is too high.
On This Page You Will Find:
- How Canadians reacted after immigration levels were reduced
- Key findings from the IRCC-commissioned survey
- Statements from officials and political leaders
- How immigration plans are changing from 2025 to 2027
- The impact of public opinion on future immigration policy
The annual survey, conducted in November 2024, came shortly after Ottawa lowered its permanent resident target from 485,000 in 2024 to 395,000 for 2025. According to results reported by the National Post, 54 per cent of respondents said there were too many immigrants coming to Canada. When specifically told about the 395,000 target, 52 per cent said that figure was still too high.
Even when informed that the 2025 target represented a 20 per cent drop from the previous year, 44 per cent still viewed it as excessive. Meanwhile, 39 per cent said it was about right, and 13 per cent said it was too low.
Public Sentiment and Policy Planning
The results of the survey reflect how capacity concerns – such as housing, health care, and access to social supports – have taken centre stage in shaping public opinion. According to Keith Neuman of the Environics Institute, this represents a notable change. Historically, Canadians have focused more on who immigrants are and where they come from. Now, the focus is increasingly on whether Canada has the infrastructure to support high levels of immigration.
The government acknowledged this in its decision to scale back planned levels. In a previous statement, former prime minister Justin Trudeau said the government “didn’t get the balance quite right” as it responded to pandemic-era labour shortages. The current immigration plan now targets 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Balancing Growth With Capacity
A significant portion of the 2025 intake – more than 40 per cent – will be drawn from temporary residents already in Canada. This reflects a growing focus on transitioning existing residents to permanent status, rather than relying solely on new arrivals.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has named both housing affordability and immigration as top priorities. His mandate letter calls for attracting global talent while returning immigration levels to a more sustainable pace.
As work begins on the 2026–2028 immigration levels plan, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab’s office has said IRCC will collaborate with partners to ensure Canada can continue to welcome newcomers while maintaining system integrity and ensuring long-term capacity.
Political Reactions and the Road Ahead
While the federal Liberals and left-leaning Canadians continue to support immigration, the issue has become more politically charged. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said population growth is “out of control” and called for “severe limits.” His party’s immigration critic, Michelle Rempel Garner, said she blames the government for failing to align immigration with housing and health care capacity.
Still, immigration remains a secondary issue in the minds of most Canadians. Neuman notes that while opinions are becoming more polarized, Canadians typically see immigration as a national – rather than personal – issue. Almost half of respondents in the IRCC-commissioned survey still said immigration had a positive impact on their local community.
Whether these attitudes harden or soften will likely depend on progress in areas like housing and health care – the very systems Canadians worry may be strained by immigration growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the government reduce immigration levels for 2025?
The federal government lowered immigration targets in response to concerns about housing shortages and overstretched social systems. It now aims to balance labour needs with sustainability.
What percentage of Canadians think immigration levels are still too high?
According to the 2024 survey, 54 per cent said there were too many immigrants coming to Canada. Even when told about the cut to 395,000, 52 per cent still said it was too many.
What are the new immigration targets for the next three years?
Canada plans to admit 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027. These figures mark a reduction from the previous target of 485,000 in 2024.
How has public opinion about immigration changed?
Canadians are now more focused on whether the country can handle large numbers of newcomers, rather than where they come from. This is a shift from earlier concerns.
Is immigration still seen positively in local communities?
Yes. Despite national concerns, nearly half of Canadians surveyed said immigration had a positive impact on their local community, showing a complex public attitude.
