Polls Show More Than Half of Canadians Say Immigration is Too High

(CANADA) More than half of Canadians now say there is too much immigration, according to a series of national polls conducted in late 2024 and early 2025. The findings point to a clear shift in public opinion amid rising housing costs and wider economic strain. The most recent results show consistent majorities saying current immigration levels are too high, even after the federal government moved to lower targets for the next three years.

The Environics Institute’s Focus Canada survey in fall 2024 found that 58% believe the country accepts too many immigrants — the highest level since 1998 and a sharp increase over the past two years. An IRCC-commissioned poll in November 2024 reported 54% saying too many immigrants are coming to Canada, and when respondents were told the government planned to admit 395,000 permanent residents in 2025, 52% still said that figure was too high. A 2025 Leger poll for the Association for Canadian Studies found 60% disagreed that “Canada needs new immigrants,” with the strongest resistance in Alberta (65%), Ontario (63%), and Quebec (61%).

Polling snapshot

Across provinces, concern varies but trends upward.

• In Ontario and Alberta, 57% and 56% respectively say there are too many immigrants coming to their province.
• By contrast, Newfoundland & Labrador and the Territories show lower concern, with more residents saying current numbers are about right or even too few.

Political preference also shapes opinion:

• 80% of Conservative supporters say immigration levels are too high.
• The view has grown among Liberal (45%) and NDP (36%) voters as well.

Age splits are nuanced. Older Canadians (55+) are more likely to want fewer newcomers, while the youngest cohort (18–24) and older seniors (65+) show more support for new arrivals. The pattern suggests that housing realities and local conditions weigh heavily, sometimes more than ideology or age.

What’s driving the shift?

The top reason is housing. Canadians consistently cite housing affordability and shortages as the main driver of concern.

• Many also point to broader economic pressure, fears about overcrowding, and strain on health care and other public services.
• A growing number question how well newcomers are integrating and whether the system is being managed effectively.

While these views involve complex issues, the link to housing stands out: when rent climbs and vacancy rates stay low, people tend to look for policy levers that can ease the strain. Immigration becomes part of that debate, even when the roots of the housing crunch include zoning limits, slow building timelines, and rising construction costs.

Attitudes remain mixed, not uniformly hostile:

• Nearly half of Canadians in the IRCC polling said immigration has a positive impact on their local community.
• Many value permanent residents with specialized skills who settle and build long-term futures.
• Support is weaker for large numbers of temporary foreign workers and international students — a distinction that matters because temporary streams can grow quickly and push population higher in short periods, especially in major cities.

Policy context and public response

The federal government has begun to adjust targets. Ottawa cut targets for 2025–2027 after setting a record goal of 485,000 permanent residents in 2024. The plan for 2025 is 395,000, with similar levels planned for the following years.

• Even so, the IRCC-commissioned poll found a majority still views the new target as too high.
• This gap between policy and public sentiment is central to Canada’s debate over growth, public services, and long-term workforce needs.

Employers warn Canada needs steady immigration to fill jobs, especially in health care, construction, and technology. Without enough workers, wait times rise, projects stall, and productivity suffers. At the same time, families and renters feel the near-term squeeze: higher rents, scarce listings, and rising grocery and transport costs.

For newcomers, the tension is personal:

• Skilled professionals face longer searches for housing and for jobs that match their training.
• International students struggle with living costs while trying to meet study and work rules.

Communities want growth that fits their capacity, while newcomers want stable paths to settle and contribute.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the political space has narrowed. With majority sentiment shifting toward lower levels, parties will likely face pressure to tie immigration planning more closely to:

• housing starts,
• campus capacity,
• health system staffing.

That may mean smaller swings in targets year-to-year, more attention to regional settlement planning, and closer monitoring of temporary streams that can expand quickly.

Officials also note that permanent immigration is only one piece of the picture. Temporary programs for workers and students grew over the past decade, often responding to employer demand and the education sector’s funding needs. When large numbers arrive in a short period, even if temporary, local services feel the impact. Some provinces and cities are now asking for earlier notice of intake levels so they can plan for classrooms, clinics, and transit.

For official details, the government’s plan is published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. The current levels and policy notices are posted on IRCC’s website: Immigration Levels Plan (IRCC). This page explains the 2025–2027 targets and how the department frames goals for economic growth, family reunification, and refugee protection.

What happens next?

The next phase of the debate will likely focus on delivery. Outcomes depend on housing and service capacity as much as on target numbers.

• If housing supply grows faster — through new builds, more rentals, and gentle density — pressure may ease.
• If construction lags or borrowing costs stay high, public concern may remain elevated regardless of modest target cuts.

Provinces will continue to shape outcomes through the Provincial Nominee Program, which can steer newcomers to smaller cities and rural areas that want growth and have room to welcome people.

For immigrants and applicants, the message is mixed but not discouraging:

• Canada still plans to admit hundreds of thousands of permanent residents each year.
• Many Canadians see clear benefits in skills, entrepreneurship, and community life.
• Applicants should expect steady scrutiny of numbers, closer checks on temporary streams, and public debate about housing and services whenever targets are announced.

Community leaders are trying to bridge the gap:

• Some settlement agencies now work with municipalities to match newcomers to regions with stronger housing availability and job openings.
• Employers and colleges are discussing realistic intake levels and better support measures.

These steps won’t shift poll numbers overnight, but they can reduce friction on the ground.

The polling trend is clear: more Canadians think immigration levels are too high than at any time in a generation. The reasons are rooted in daily life — rent, mortgages, access to care, room on the bus. Whether the new federal targets meet public expectations will depend on what happens next in housing and services, not only on what is written in the plan.