Immigration and Identities

November 12, 2024

Recent surveys conducted by Leger for ACS and the Environics Institute both confirmed that a majority of Canadians felt that there were too many immigrants coming to the country. Last week the government of Canada announced a twenty-five percent reduction in the annual immigration targets for the years from an initially projected 500 000 in 2025 to the revised number of 395 000 in 2025, 380 000 in 2026 and 365 000 in 2027. Observers tend to attribute the growing concern about the annual number of immigrant to economic preoccupations (i.e. rising costs, housing affordability and availability). But surveys have also revealed additional concerns relative to newcomer integration. How are such concerns reflected in public opinion. That which follows asks Canadians about the transmission of customs and traditions, the public display of religious symbols and negative opinion of religious minorities. Three in four Canadians agree that it is important to transmit our customs and traditions to our children. But the support is somewhat qualified when it comes to the display of religious symbols in public. In effect, some in three Canadians believe that To avoid being the object of discrimination it is best for people to stop wearing religious symbols on the street (kippah, hijabs or crosses). Quebecers in particular feel that discrimination is avoided by not displaying such religious symbols in public with nearly 50% holding that view. Paradoxically, Quebecers are most likely to believe that it is important to transmit customs and traditions to children. The survey was conducted by the firm Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period September 20-22, 2024 with a sample of 1612 Canadians. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1612 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20