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Canadian Opinion on Ukrainian Migration

Between January to March 2024 and the same quarter in 2025 there was a substantial decrease in Ukrainian migrants to Canada via the international mobility program. Recent surveys of Canadians around immigration levels have seen pushback from a significant share of Canadians. This has impacted opinion on migration independent of how challenging the circumstances encountered by migrants. Canadians have generally been supportive of Ukrainian migrants since the outbreak of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Is that changing? How do Canadians currently feel about migration from Ukraine? That which follows provides insight into that question via an ACS (Association for Canadian Studies) detailed analysis of a survey conducted by Leger Marketing over the period June 6-8, 2025.with1511 respondents in Canada and 1011 in the United States.

Youngest Canadians are by far the most exposed to anti-Semitic and Islamophobic remarks from colleagues and acquaintances

Anti-Semitic and Islamophobic remarks appear to be increasingly acceptable as many young Canadians hear them from colleagues and acquaintances in their entourage. This is a key finding revealed in an analysis from a Leger survey conducted in June 2025. Younger Americans are also more likely to hear anti-Semitic and Islamophobic remarks from colleagues and acquaintances though to a somewhat lesser degree than do their Canadian counterparts. The analysis arises from surveys conducted by Leger Marketing over the period June 6-8, 2025 with 1537 respondents in Canada and 1011 in the United States. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1537 respondents in Canada would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20 while the American sample of 1011 would have a margin of error of ±3.9%, 19 times out of 20.

Progress on Reconciliation, trust between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians and pride in Canada’s History

A majority of Canadians (55%) believe that the country is making good progress on reconciliation with indigenous peoples. Underlying views on the progress of reconciliation is the degree of trust between indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians and the survey reveals that the majority of Canadians trust indigenous persons and the majority of indigenous respondents trust other Canadians. It might be observed that pride in the country’s history is affected by perceptions around the historic treatment of indigenous persons. Hence the perceptions over the progress of reconciliation will undoubtedly affect such views. While a majority of Canadians say they’re proud of the history of the country, there are important differences in the expressed degree of pride on the basis of age. In effect, the youngest cohort 18-24 is more likely to say that they’re not proud of the country’s history. But the survey validates that assumption by demonstrating that those who are not proud of the country’s history are more likely to feel that the country is not making good progress on reconciliation with indigenous peoples. There is perhaps some irony in observing that on the basis of language background francophone youth (59%) are considerably more proud of the country’s history than are anglophone youth (35%). There is perhaps some irony in observing that on the basis of language background francophone youth (59%) are considerably more proud of the country’s history than are anglophone youth (35%). The findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period June 20-22, 2025.with1579 respondents in Canada.

Immigration and Trust of newcomers in Canada

Continued tracking of the view over the numbers of immigrants currently admitted to Canada reveals that in June 20-22, 2025 a majority still feel that there are too many. This despite the 25% reduction in the numbers of immigrants that were announced in the fall of 2025. While most observers attribute the persistent concern with the numbers of refugees to economic concerns and housing challenges, the survey looks at the extent to which Canadians trust immigrants and refugees and finds that amongst those Canadians who feel that there are too many immigrants, the level of trust in refugees is especially low. This may imply that concerns over domestic intergroup tensions may be a more important factor in concern with levels than has been previously acknowledged. Data from a second Leger survey included here point to concerns about levels of temporary workers and foreign students The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1580 respondents in Canada over the period June 20 and 22, 2025.

July 4: Canadians not in a celebratory mood when it comes to relations with the United States

When it comes to Canada’s relationship with the United States, this July 4th will be very different from the previous one. While there is less talk about making Canada the 51st State of the United States, the imposition of tariffs and the reciprocation by Canada contribute to ongoing tensions between the two countries. A survey conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies (June 20-22) reveals that there is a high level of distrust of the United States, Canadians are more divided when asked about trust of Americans. And though a majority of Canadians continue to feel unwelcome in the United States, most Canadians regard the Canada and US borders as secure. Most Canadians don’t see the United States as a trusted security and defense partner. A large majority of Canadians believe they’re being fair when it comes to economic engagements with the United States as expressed by the overwhelmingly share that feel that the country’s trade rules with the US are fair while those enacted by United States are not fair. With all this noted, a majority of Canadians continue to believe Canadians have more in common with Americans than any other peoples in the world. A key insight in this survey is the extent to which trust in Americans is an important predictor of views on the relationship as those Canadians harboring greater trust in Americans feel more welcome in the country as see the United States as more of a reliable partner on defense and security. The findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period June 20-22, 2025.with1579 respondents in Canada.

Do you live on stolen Indigenous land?

A lawsuit filed by four UBC professors in BC’s Supreme Court argues that the university’s formal land acknowledgements are political, and therefore contrary to provincial law. They argue that by using words like “unceded” — meaning the land was never surrendered through treaty agreements — such acknowledgments say Canada’s land is “stolen” and therefore question the state’s legitimacy. A number of legal scholars and Indigenous leaders warn that such action will undermine progress on Indigenous land rights and reconciliation. Some have outrightly dismissed the case as irrelevant. When surveyed most Canadians do not believe that they re living on stolen indigenous land according to a May 2025 survey done by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies. Some 27% believe they are living on stolen indigenous lands, 52% don’t and 21% don’t know. A June 2021 ACS-Leger survey asking whether Canadians felt that they currently lived on ‘unceded’ indigenous lands found that 25% said yes, 42% said No and 33% didn’t know. In short, Canadians are more likely to reject the idea that they live on stolen rather than on unceded indigenous land even though the difference between the two is widely regarded as semantic. The 2025 survey reveals that the majority of British Columbians reject the idea that they live on stolen indigenous lands as do most Vancourites that were polled. The findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 16-18, 2025.with1537 respondents in Canada.

‘Breakin’ Up is Hard to Do: how Canadians understand the process of separation

Since the April 28th federal election and the victory of the Liberal party there has been considerable talk about an Albertan referendum on separation from Canada. Several surveys have assessed the levels of support for sovereignty amongst Albertans with varying outcomes. There has been much less discussion about the process of a referendum in Canada and while some might look to Quebec for a precedent (s) in that regard, it remains hard to predict what the aftermath of a majority vote for sovereignty would entail in terms of next steps. If some legislative framework exists in terms of the rules for recognition on the part of the rest of Canada in the event of a favorable sovereignty outcome it would emerge from the Federal Clarity Act (Bill C 20) officially known as the "An Act to give effect to the requirement for clarity as set out in the opinion of the Supreme Court of Canada in the matter of [Quebec v. Attorney General of Canada]," Adopted In June 2000, the Canadian federal law offers some guidelines around the process of a province seeking to secede from Canada. Some twenty five years later with the prospect of referendums in Alberta and in Quebec in the next few years, how do Canadians view the process associated with a possible exit from the country. To better understand this, the Association for Canadian Studies commissioned the firm Leger to see how Canadians understand several key issues associated with the process of a sovereignty referendum and what a majority favorable vote might mean for what follows. The findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 16-18, 2025.with1537 respondents in Canada.

Pride in being Canadian, Regionalism and Feeling Respected

At the outset of the federal election campaign and over its course pride in being Canadian fluctuated arising from President Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st State and raising tariffs on the country. The most important swings in pride were in Quebec and Alberta where election spikes in pride have returned to lower levels post election and that is especially the case in Alberta. In addition to asking about the degree of pride in being Canadian, the Association for Canadian Studies commissioned Leger to look at whether provinces/regions of Canada feel they get the respect they deserve within the country and if they feel closer to their province/region than they do to Canada. Quebecers followed by Nova Scotians and Albertans were more likely to say they identify more strongly with their province/region than they do with Canada. Ontarians, British Columbians and Quebecers feel they get the respect they deserve more so than others within Canada while New Brunswickers, Nova Scotians and Albertans do not feel that they get the respect that they deserve. The findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 16-18, 2025.with1537 respondents in Canada.

Canadians Divided in their opinion of the Monarchy and of the Vatican

King Charles will travel to Canada to deliver the speech from the throne on May 27. The last time the speech was actually read by Canada's head of state was when Queen Elizabeth delivered it in 1977. The Monarchy has played an important role in the history of the country but it’s one that evokes very mixed feelings. Along with the Monarchy, the Vatican has also played a key role in the country’s history and it as well gives rise to mixed sentiment on the part of Canadians. Recently, the Vatican elected a new Pope. To find out the Association for Canadian Studies commissioned the firm Leger to ask How do Canadians feel about these institutions and their leaders. While Canadians are divided in their opinions of these institutions, they value the Pope over the Vatican and the Monarchy over King Charles For their part Quebecers have lesser appreciation for the Monarchy and King Charles than do other Canadians. But if their divided in their views of these institutions they are somewhat less so when asked about whether these institutions play a useful role in the world. A clear majority of Canadians don’t believe the Monarchy plays a useful role in the world nor do most Canadians believe that the Vatican plays a useful role in that regard These findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 16-18, 2025.with1537 respondents in Canada.

RESEARCH REPORT: "Tracking the plan: Examining The early impact of the Federal Government’s Projected reduction in Immigration levels"

Last October 2024, the Government of Canada announced a reduction to its permanent immigration targets to align with the country’s economic needs from 500,000 down to 395,000 in 2025; from 500,000 to 380,000 in 2026; and setting a target of 365,000 in 2027. With respect to the breakdown by categories, the economic category remained by far the largest proportion of admissions to reach some 62% by 2027. Support for family reunification continues through the family category, which maintains a rate of 22% of overall permanent resident admissions. Canada’s strong and proud tradition of offering protection to those most in need is evident through the sustained targets for Government Assisted Refugees, which contributes to the resettled refugees and protected persons category rate of 15% of overall permanent resident admissions. 21,200 admissions are provided to commitments made on humanitarian and compassionate grounds over three years (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/supplementary-immigration-levels-2025-2027.html) Meeting these targets is not simple given the need to account for regional priorities, pre existing and other considerations. That which follows will look at the immigrant admission numbers in the 1st quarter of 2025 to see what initial adjustments were made and how they compare with the admissions for the same quarter in 2024. According to Statistics Canada’s demographic estimates, Canada's population growth slowed in the fourth quarter of 2024, reaching a quarterly growth rate of 0.2%, the slowest since the fourth quarter of 2020. Expect yet further declines over the course of the year 2025 in light of the projected declines in numbers of newcomers and continued low birth rates. As observed in the next slide, the overall population reached 41,528,680 on January 1, 2025 up from 41, 465, 298 an increase of 63, 382. By contrast, the population increase between the two previous quarters was 176,699. Immigration level reductions played a critical role in the outcome.

Do Canadians want an election in the next two years?

On April 28th, the Liberals fell just short of a majority and will be the leading party in a minority government as has been the case in the previous two federal elections. They’ll likely continue to govern with support from either one of the third parties that are unlikely to desire a near term election given the need to rebuild especially in the case of the New Democrats. At this juncture the prospects for an election in the next two years seem unlikely as a new poll conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that most NDP and Bloc voters do not want an election in the next two years. The poll further reveals that despite what ended largely as a two party contest, Canadians do not prefer a two party system as is the case de facto in the United States. The survey also asks whether Canadians were happy with the election outcome. Not surprisingly a majority of Conservative voters were unhappy with the outcome and expected the party to obtain more seats. NDP voters were happy with the outcome despite the considerable loss in the number of seats. On another question as to whether voters thought that their parties would do better, all indeed did. It was the Bloc Quebecois for whom the results were somewhat more in line with their expectations of their voters in terms of the number of seats the party secured. These findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 1-3, 2025 with1626 respondents in Canada.

Perceptions around English-French Relations in Quebec and in the ROC

Not surprisingly the perceived state of relations between English and French speakers in Canada underlie tensions between Quebec and the rest of the country. Amongst several observations, this finding is confirmed in an April 2025 Leger survey for the Association for Canadian Studies which reveals that almost all Quebecers that see relations between Quebec and the rest of Canada as bad also view badly the relationship between English and French speakers across the country. Quebecers feel that relations between (reconciliation) English and French speakers in Canada not as good as relations between indigenous and non-indigenous persons. In the rest of Canada, there is a greater concern over the State of relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous, especially on the Prairies. Indeed Quebec francophones don’t see much difference in the state of their relationships with English-speaking Quebecers and English speakers in Canada outside of Quebec as the perception is that relations are worse between English and French speakers in Quebec than they are between English and French speakers in Canada. The survey reveals that young Quebecers are far less likely than others to see the relationship between English and French speakers in the province as good. As PM Mark Carney has reframed the department of Canadian Heritage as “Culture and Identity” it will important to see what measures are introduced to make progress on reconciling divides across language lines. These findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period April 17-19, 2025.with1603 respondents in Canada.

Quebecers think they’re part of the Canadian nation

During the election campaign Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet in referring to Canada stated in English .“We are, whether we like it or not, part of an artificial country with very little meaning, called Canada,” adding that the House of Commons is a foreign parliament because this nation is not mine,” When on a separate occasion he was asked to elaborate he reiterated with the following: “It’s a non-nation, a country which denies its own identity.” To test the extent to which the BQ leaders views align with those of other Quebecers, the Association for Canadian Studies asked Leger Marketing to ask Quebecers and all Canadians whether “Quebecers are part of the Canadian nation”. When asked, some 80% of Quebecers said they were part of the Canadian nation. Some 72% of Bloc Quebecois voters agreed (it is worth noting that 27% of Quebecers voted for the Bloc Quebecois on April 28th compared with 43% of the Liberals and 23% for the Conservatives). Most Canadians agree that “to be a nation means that members share a common culture, language and history”. Amongst those who Quebecers who concur with that definition, some Quebecers 82% of Quebecers say that they’re part of the Canadian nation. These findings arise from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 1-3 ,2025.with1626 respondents in Canada.

Canadians divided in their opinion over whether the country is divided in the aftermath of the federal election

Canadians are divided over whether the results of the 2025 federal election have contributed to more division in the country. The finding arises from a survey of Canadians conducted by the firm Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies between May 1 and 3, 2025. When asked, some 34% of Canadians agreed that the federal election results will contribute to more unity between Canadians, 37% disagreed and 29% didn’t know. Albertans and Prairie residents were most likely to believe that the elections results would be bad for unity. Canadians were also asked whether respectively the threat of Alberta and Quebec separation should be taken seriously and which of the two had legitimate reasons for separation. In an interesting twist, Canadians feel the threat of separation by Alberta merits more serious attention than they do in the case of Quebec. Quebecers feel otherwise as they are less likely than others to regard the threat of Albertan separation as more serious than Quebec. Canadians are also somewhat more likely to believe that Albertans have more legitimate reasons than Quebec for wanting to separate from Canada. That too is a view with which Quebecers very much disagree. The survey was conducted over the period May 1-3, 2025 with1626 respondents in Canada.

Canadians no longer feel safe or welcome in the United States

Prime Minister Mark Carney makes meets with President Trump at the White House today with tensions persisting between the two countries. In his election night victory speech Carney warned that “America wants our land, our resources, our water, our country," and added that “these are not idle threats. President Trump is trying to break us so America can own us. That will never, ever happen.“ The US president has continued to express a desire to make Canada that country’s 51st State and describe the line/boundary between the two countries as artificial. In addition to tariff increases there has been increasing scrutiny for persons entering the United States. The net result of all the tense exchanges, notably coming from President Trump is that a majority of Canadians no longer feel welcome and/or safe travelling to the United States. This is the key finding of a Leger survey conducted between May 1 and 3, 2025 for the Association for Canadian Studies. On the question of whether the line/boundary between Canada and the US is artificial, a plurality of Canadians disagree but many say they don’t know and the youngest cohort of Canadians are the least certain. The survey was conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period May 1-3, 2025 with1626 respondents in Canada.

The Two Amigos: Canadians give high marks to relations between Canada and Mexico while seeing the current state of relations with the United States as bad as it is between Canada and Russia

Whoever wins the federal election on April 28th will have their work cut out for them when it comes to international relations and notably key bilateral relationships. Canadians have seen the relationship with the United States sour with no immediate end in sight to the decline. A survey conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that three out of four Canadians describe the relationship as bad which is higher than the negative assessment given to relations between Canada and Russia! Canadians give the most positive relationship ratings to Canada and Mexico, Canada and the UK and Canada and the EU. It would seem as though that Canadians may seem common cause with the other ‘amigo’ far more so than with the United States. As regards relations between Canada and China which have been quite strained in recent years while more Canadians currently see them as ‘bad’ than they do ‘good’, the gap is not insurmountable. It is worth noting that Liberal leader Mark Carney has described China as the country’s biggest security threat. Recently, China’s ambassador to Canada said Beijing is offering to form a partnership with Canada to push back against American “bullying,” suggesting the two countries could rally other nations to stop Washington from undermining global rules (https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/trumps-tariffs/article/china-says-it-wants-to-partner-with-canada-to-push-back-against-american-bullying/) These findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period April 17-19, 2025.with1603 respondents in Canada over the period January 17 and 19, 2025.

Between Us: Regional and Partisan Divides in Canada

The 2025 elections have witnessed rising concern over the state of relations between Alberta and the rest of Canada. Underlying the tension are partisan/ideological differences within Canada that will most certainly be reflected in the results of the April 28 election with Alberta voting massively for the Conservatives relative to the Eastern Canadian voting pattern. Though the sentiment isn’t new, persistent feelings of disempowerment and alienation amongst Albertans may contribute to less desire for engagement with the federal government. How is the state of relations between Albertans and other Canadians seen across the country? By comparison what is the view of the relationship between Quebec and the ROC? Finally, how do Canadians see relations between Liberals and Conservatives in Canada? The Association for Canadian Studies commissioned Leger Marketing to ask Canadians these questions in providing insight into the extent to which the divide is viewed as partisan and/or regional and what it might imply for cooperation going forward. These findings emerge from a survey conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies over the period April 17-19, 2025 with1603 respondents in Canada.

Where are federal political parties securing support across the ideological spectrum in 2025 election?

Where are Federal Political Parties Securing Support across the ideological spectrum in 2025 election? To what extent have the Federal Liberals and Conservatives secured those voters across the ideological spectrum and to what extent have the two parties successfully obtained votes in the center of the ideological spectrum often seen as important to favorable electoral outcomes in Canada. That which follows will analyze the parties are faring with voters across the spectrum at this stage in the campaign. The data analysis reveals that the Federal Liberals have secured two-thirds of those voters declaring themselves as being on the left or left of the center thereby making major inroads on what is usually seen as the base of the NDP. The Liberals also have a ten point lead over the Conservatives amongst those defining as in the center of the ideological spectrum. For their part the Conservatives are holding almost all on the right and the majority to the right of the center. But the Conservatives have a mere one in ten of those voters identifying to the left of center while the Liberals have thus far secured over one in five to the right of center The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1631 respondents in Canada over the period April 5 and 6 , 2025.

Trust Breaking Down in Canada's Political Parties

Trust in Politicians and in the parties/movements and/or ideas they represent is an important indicator/barometer of voter intentions. As revealed in this study, Liberal and Conservatives are near even when it comes to the degree of perceived trust towards them on the part of Canadians but there are important regional differences that help explain prevailing patters of voter intention voter intention to-date. The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1631 respondents in Canada over the period April 5 and 6 , 2025.

Most Quebecers agree that an independent Quebec would have much less influence that would a united Canada in dealing with the current threat from the United States

This Wednesday (April 16) and Thursday (April 17) Canadians will have the opportunity to see the televised debates between the party leaders in French and English in the Federal election campaign. Relations between Canada and the United States will be critical theme in debates in both languages with President Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state and imposing fresh tariffs on Canada. Trump’s statements and actions have given rise to conversations about the importance of unity in responding to the threat. Specifically many Quebec voters are asking is whether under the current circumstances-a party representing a larger country carries more weight in defending Quebec’s interests than might the avowed sovereignist Bloc Quebecois. To provide insight the Association for Canadian Studies commissioned Leger Marketing (April 5 and 6, 2025) to ask whether “an independent Quebec would have much less influence than would a united Canada in dealing with the current threat from the United States”. Some 48% of Quebecers agree while 32% disagree. Underlying the issue of who is best positioned to advocate for Quebec is the issue of the defense of the French language. In that regard, the United States recently listed the Quebec government's French-language reform as a barrier to trade with the United States that for some served as a further reminder of the need to identify ways of being impactful in interacting with the current US administration. The ACS-Leger survey reveals that most Quebecers agree that the French language in Quebec is threatened by the policies of the Trump administration. The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1631 respondents in Canada over the period April 5 and 6 , 2025.

Tariffs Impact on Canadians and their Preferred Response and diminishing Trust of Americans

The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1631 respondents in Canada over the period April 5 and 6 , 2025 A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1631 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.

Albertans and Prairie Residents are Proud Canadians: Evolving National and Regional Pride Over The Course Of The Campaign

Over the course of the last month there has been much political turbulence with the emerging annexation and tariff threats from the US and its impact on the federal election campaign driving Canada-US elections to the top of the agenda. The election campaign has also given rise to concerns over regional divisions which have been the object of much attention in Alberta and Quebec presumably associated with shifting expectations around the electoral outcome. Some observers have suggested that President Trump’s threats have united Canadians and strengthened resolve and cohesion in ways that the country’s leading voices for Canadian unity have rarely proven able. Others have pointed to cracks in unity with a purported rise in Albertan separatist sentiment. A March 2025 Leger survey for the Association for Canadian Studies pointed to near record levels of pride in being Canadian with Quebecers seeing a jump from 80% to 86%. What a difference a month makes as Quebecers level of pride in being Canadian returned to its earlier benchmark level while pride in Alberta and the Prairies has seen record gains. According to an April 5 and 6 2025 Leger survey for the ACS, Quebecers pride in country and region are roughly similar (though not for Quebec francophones) while Albertans and Prairie residents put Canada well ahead of their respective level of pride in their province/region. The survey also reveals that pride aside, the largest plurality of Quebecers agree than an independent Quebec would have much less influence than a United Canada in dealing with the threat from the United States The survey was conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies with 1631 respondents in Canada over the period April 5 and 6 , 2025.

What are the primary motivators for Canadians when deciding for whom they’ll vote on April 28th?

What are the drivers or motivators behind Canadians current voter preferences. In the space of the last 3 weeks we’ve seen a considerable evolution in voter intentions that has brought the Liberal Party of Canada from well behind the Conservative Party of Canada to currently holding the lead in nearly all surveys. To understand the considerations or motivators currently underlying voter intentions, the Association for Canadian Studies asked Leger Marketing to put an open ended question in they’re national tracking poll asking Canadians to tell us “... in one sentence why you're voting that way.” The responses provide a more granular look at voter motivation. Up to two responses were calculated on the basis of responses and the statements were coded based on key word designation (s). The survey was conducted with 1628 respondents over the period March 29-31, 2025 by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies.

Most Canadians agree that Immigrants make an important contribution to achievements in Canadian sports