Too many Canadians still think that there are too many immigrants coming to Canada: But skilled workers still viewed favorably

March 13, 2025

Most experts widely view immigration as critical to Canada’s population growth and its associated social and economic well-being. Immigration accounts for almost all of Canada’s labour force growth, and it is projected that by the next decade, it will account for 100% of the country’s population increase. Canada has a long history of managed migration, balancing economic needs with the importance of family reunification and refugee assistance. In response to significant change in Canadian views on numbers of immigrants admitted to the country, the Federal Government announced in October 2024 a reduction to immigration levels for 2025-2027 from a previous target of 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, a drop of approximately 20%. A Leger survey for the ACS conducted shortly after the levels reduction revealed no change in public opinion with two-thirds of Canadians still of the view that there were too many immigrants. Fourth months later a new ACS-Leger survey reveals that there has been a modest reduction in the extent to which Canadians feel that there are too many immigrants (65% to 58%) and it remains fair to say that there are still too many Canadians that feel that there are too many immigrants. The survey further reveals some growing uncertainty about the contribution of immigrants whether as it pertains to population increase, economic contribution or other areas. Yet even those Canadians who feel there are too many immigrants continue to value skilled workers, though they assign less value to refugees. Most Canadians agree that Canada is a nation of immigrants yet even amongst those affirming this observation there remains a feeling that there are too many ( in other words it’s a nation of immigrants with too many immigrants).