A growing share of Canadians believe immigration is hurting the country, according to a new national survey that signals a shift in public sentiment on one of the most contentious issues in Canadian politics. The poll, conducted by Vancouver-based Research Co. and released this week, found that nearly 48 per cent of respondents said immigration is having a mostly negative effect on Canada, a sharp increase from past years and a notable reversal from historically positive views.
Only about 34 per cent of Canadians in the online survey said they think immigration is having a positive effect on the country, marking a drop of nine percentage points from a similar survey conducted in July 2025. The rise in negative perceptions over time has been dramatic — compared with February 2022 when just 26 per cent of those surveyed saw immigration negatively, the figure has nearly doubled.
The shifting mood appears broad-based but varies across regions. Residents in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta were more likely to describe the impact of immigration as negative, while views in provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec, though still showing increased pessimism, were comparatively less unfavourable.
Alongside questions about the impact of immigration, the poll asked about public preferences for legal immigration levels. It found that 42 per cent of Canadians believe the number of legal immigrants allowed to relocate to Canada should be reduced, outstripping those who want immigration levels maintained or increased. Only a small minority backed increasing the number of newcomers.
Experts and commentators tracking Canadian public opinion have noted that concerns about immigration have become intertwined with broader anxieties over economic and social pressures, particularly housing affordability, access to public services and competition in the labour market. David Coletto, CEO of polling firm Abacus Data, observed in related surveys that negative views — once a minority perspective — have solidified into a more entrenched stance among many Canadians, driven in part by tangible everyday pressures.
Political implications of the trend are significant. Immigration policy has long been a cornerstone of Canada’s economic strategy, with leaders arguing that newcomers help address labour shortages and support growth amid an aging population. But the resurgence of scepticism has put pressure on policymakers and fed debate within and across political parties. Opposition politicians have seized on the polling data to criticise the federal government’s approach, while some policymakers have called for adjustments to immigration targets and tighter controls.
Public opinion on immigration also continues to show generational and demographic divides. Younger Canadians, though still concerned about some aspects of high immigration, tend to be more supportive than older cohorts, who more often express frustration over the pace and scale of population growth. Regional differences further complicate the picture, with Prairie provinces and Ontario showing higher negativity compared with Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
The Research Co. survey reflects a broader realignment in how many Canadians view the role of immigration in the nation’s future. What was once widely seen as a net positive for society and the economy is now increasingly viewed through the lens of short-term challenges and community pressures. Whether this shift will translate into policy changes, electoral consequences or shifts in party platforms remains a central question as Canada heads deeper into its political calendar.
