Last Updated On 20 June 2025, 8:34 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
In a recent shift in public sentiment, a slim majority of Canadians believe that even the reduced immigration targets for 2025 are still too high, according to government-funded polling conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The survey, carried out in November 2024, followed the federal government’s announcement to lower the number of permanent residents from 485,000 in 2024 to 395,000 in 2025—a significant reduction of nearly 100,000.
Despite this cut, 54% of Canadians expressed concerns that the country is still admitting too many immigrants, signalling growing unease about the nation’s capacity to absorb newcomers amidst pressures on housing, healthcare, and social services.
With housing affordability and infrastructure capacity dominating national conversations, immigration has emerged as a politically charged issue, challenging policymakers to strike a balance between economic needs and public sentiment.
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The IRCC-commissioned survey provides a snapshot of Canadian attitudes toward immigration at a pivotal moment.
The results revealed that 54% of respondents felt that Canada is admitting too many immigrants overall.
When informed of the specific target of 395,000 permanent residents for 2025, 52% still viewed this number as excessive, while 37% believed it was about right, and only 5% thought it was too low.
Notably, even after being told that the 2025 target represents a 20% reduction from 2024 levels, 44% of respondents continued to view the figure as too high, with 39% considering it appropriate and 13% deeming it insufficient.
Keith Neuman, a senior associate at the Environics Institute, which has tracked Canadian attitudes toward immigration for four decades, noted a significant shift in public perception.
Historically, Canadians focused on raising concerns regarding the demographics of immigrants—such as their countries of origin or cultural backgrounds.
However, Neuman emphasized that the current discourse has pivoted to the concept of “capacity.”
He explained, “The capacity issue has never really been something that Canadians have thought about, up to this point. And so that’s where the real shift has happened. It is now become a public issue and a political issue.”
This shift reflects growing concerns about Canada’s ability to accommodate newcomers amidst challenges like housing shortages, strained healthcare systems, and limited social services.
As these issues dominate headlines, they are reshaping how Canadians view immigration, transforming it from a broadly positive narrative to one fraught with practical concerns.
The Context: Immigration Cuts and Economic Realities
The federal government’s decision to reduce immigration levels for 2025 came in response to mounting pressures.
In 2023, immigration accounted for nearly 98% of Canada’s population growth, pushing the national population to 41 million.
While this influx has helped offset an aging population and bolstered the labour force, it has also strained infrastructure.
Housing experts, economists, and even the Bank of Canada have pointed to immigration as a contributing factor to the country’s housing shortage, which has driven up costs and exacerbated affordability challenges.
Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged these concerns when announcing the immigration cuts, admitting that the government “didn’t get the balance quite right” in its post-COVID-19 efforts to address labour shortages.
The previous plan aimed to admit 500,000 permanent residents by 2025, but the revised strategy scales this back to 395,000 in 2025, 380,000 in 2026, and 365,000 in 2027.
Additionally, over 40% of the 2025 permanent resident intake will consist of temporary residents already in Canada, a move intended to ease pressure on new arrivals.
The government’s immigration strategy is now under intense scrutiny as it prepares its 2026-2028 immigration levels plan, set to be tabled in the fall of 2025.
Renée LeBlanc Proctor, press secretary for Minister Lena Metlege Diab, emphasized the government’s commitment to sustainable levels.
“IRCC will continue work together with partners to establish the best paths forward to ensure that Canada is in position to attract the best talent in the world, while ensuring that overall immigration levels are more sustainable, and that the integrity of the system’s programs remain intact,” she said in a statement.
The public’s unease about levels of permanent residents is closely tied to broader socioeconomic challenges.
Housing affordability has become a top concern for Canadians, with skyrocketing prices and limited supply making it difficult for many to own or rent homes.
The rapid population growth driven by immigration has intensified these pressures, as new arrivals compete for limited housing stock.
Similarly, healthcare systems are struggling to keep up with demand, with many Canadians facing long wait times for medical care.
Access to other social supports, such as education and social services, has also been strained.
These challenges have shifted the debate from one of cultural integration to one of practical capacity.
Canadians are increasingly questioning whether the country has the infrastructure to support high levels of immigration without compromising quality of life.
This sentiment is reflected in the IRCC survey, which found that while nearly half of respondents viewed immigration as having a positive impact on their communities, concerns about capacity are overshadowing these benefits.
Immigration has become a politically polarizing issue in Canada, with different parties staking out distinct positions.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office recently, has identified housing affordability and immigration as top priorities for his government.
In his mandate letter to ministers, Carney emphasized the need to attract global talent while returning immigration rates to “sustainable levels.”
This dual focus reflects the delicate balance the government must strike between economic growth and public concerns.
The Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, has taken a harder line on immigration.
Poilievre has called for “severe limits” on population growth, arguing that Liberal policies have led to unsustainable increases.
Conservative critic Michelle Rempel Garner has echoed this sentiment, criticizing the Liberal government for failing to align the levels of immigrants with housing and healthcare capacity.
She has also raised concerns about the government’s lack of clarity on deporting individuals who no longer have legal status in Canada.
Despite the political rhetoric, Neuman from the Environics Institute suggests that immigration is not a top-of-mind issue for most Canadians, unlike in the United States, where it is a highly divisive topic.
Instead, Canadians tend to view immigration as a national issue rather than one that directly impacts their daily lives.
This perspective may explain why, despite concerns about capacity, nearly half of survey respondents still see immigration as beneficial to their communities.
As Canada prepares its 2026-2028 levels plan, the government faces the challenge of addressing public concerns while maintaining the country’s reputation as a welcoming destination for global talent.
The IRCC’s ongoing efforts to consult with stakeholders and analyze public opinion will play a critical role in shaping future policies.
The department’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of immigration programs suggests a focus on streamlining processes and ensuring that newcomers contribute to Canada’s economic and social fabric.
However, the broader context of global migration and Canada’s relationship with the United States adds complexity to the issue.
With U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration cracking down on illegal immigration, Canada has seen an influx of refugees crossing the border, further straining resources.
This dynamic may influence public sentiment and policy decisions in the coming years.
Canada has long prided itself on its multicultural identity and openness to welcoming immigrants, but the current debate reflects a new reality.
As housing shortages, healthcare challenges, and infrastructure limitations dominate public discourse, Canadians are reevaluating the country’s capacity to welcome newcomers.
The IRCC survey highlights this tension, with a slight majority expressing skepticism about current levels, even after significant cuts.
At the same time, immigration remains a cornerstone of Canada’s economic strategy.
With an aging population and declining birthrate, the country relies on newcomers to sustain its workforce and drive growth.
The challenge for policymakers is to find a balance that addresses public concerns while preserving Canada’s ability to attract skilled workers and maintain its global competitiveness.
The recent polling data underscores a critical moment for Canada’s immigration policy.
As public sentiment shifts toward concerns about capacity, the government must navigate a complex landscape of economic needs, social pressures, and political expectations.
The planned reductions in immigration levels for 2025-2027 signal an acknowledgment of these concerns, but the persistence of public unease suggests that further adjustments may be needed.
As Canada prepares for its next immigration levels plan, the focus will likely remain on sustainability, infrastructure capacity, and public confidence.
By addressing these issues thoughtfully, the government can ensure that Canada continues to benefit from immigrants while maintaining the social cohesion and economic stability that have long defined the nation.
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