Key Takeaways:
- Roughly half of the Canadian population believes that too many immigrants are coming to Canada, according to recent polls.
- The number of police-reported hate crimes has spiked alarmingly, with a 227% rise in incidents targeting South Asian people between 2019 and 2023.
- The Canadian government is working to address the issue of hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, with Immigration Minister Lena Diab stating that hate is not acceptable in any form.
- The latest federal immigration levels plan aims to welcome 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026, with a focus on economic migrants.
- Experts attribute the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment to the links politicians have drawn between immigration, high housing costs, and a difficult job market for young people.
Introduction to the Shift in Canadian Opinion on Immigration
Canada’s long-held consensus on immigration, which has traditionally been viewed as a net positive for the country, has been coming apart in recent years. According to several private polling firms, roughly half of the population thinks that too many immigrants have been coming to Canada. This shift in opinion is reflected in a government survey from November 2024, in which 54% of respondents said that "too many" immigrants were coming to Canada. Immigration Minister Lena Diab believes that this shift in thinking is largely due to the fact that Canada is seen as a desirable destination for people to study, work, and live, as well as a refuge.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Immigration
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Canada’s immigration system. As the country emerged from the pandemic, the cost of living, particularly housing, began to rise, creating a sense of precarity that has undermined Canadians’ support for immigration. The number of police-reported hate crimes has also spiked alarmingly, with a 227% rise in incidents targeting South Asian people between 2019 and 2023. Rupinder Liddar, a political science researcher at McGill University, attributes the rise in hate crimes to the links politicians have drawn between immigration, high housing costs, and a difficult job market for young people.
The Rise in Hate Crimes and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment
The rise in hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment is a concerning trend in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, there were 265 police-reported hate crimes targeting South Asian people in 2023. Liddar notes that the rise in hate crimes is just a statistical symptom of a broader wave of hatred, and that many people in the South Asian community have experienced an increase in racism, including microaggressions and online harassment. The government has denounced the rise in hate crimes, with both Immigration Minister Lena Diab and opposition critic Michelle Rempel Garner stating that immigrants are not to blame for the high cost of living.
The Government’s Response to the Issue
The Canadian government is working to address the issue of hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment. Diab has stated that addressing hate demands a multi-faceted approach that includes education, legislation, and law enforcement. The government has also introduced a new immigration levels plan, which aims to welcome 380,000 new permanent residents in 2026, with a focus on economic migrants. The plan also includes a reduction in temporary resident admissions, from almost 674,000 in 2025 to 385,000 next year. Rempel Garner has blamed the government for the rise in anti-immigrant opinion, saying that it allowed too many people to come to Canada in too short a time.
The Role of Politicians in Shaping Public Opinion
Politicians have played a significant role in shaping public opinion on immigration. Both the Liberals and Conservatives have made links between higher housing costs, challenges in accessing services, and high rates of immigration in recent years. Liddar notes that these links have contributed to the rise in anti-immigrant sentiment, and that politicians must be careful not to perpetuate negative stereotypes and xenophobic attitudes. David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, notes that Canadian public opinion has always had a strain of xenophobia to it, but that this thinking has found a more receptive audience over the past five years as Canada’s immigrant population grew quickly alongside economic pressures.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The shift in Canadian opinion on immigration is a complex issue, driven by a range of factors including economic pressures, housing costs, and the rise of hate crimes. The government’s response to the issue will be crucial in shaping public opinion and addressing the concerns of Canadians. As Liddar notes, the anti-immigrant sentiment is likely to get better when the economy gets better, and when people feel less resentment towards other people. However, the online environment continues to circulate anti-Indian and anti-immigrant posts, and it is likely that these attitudes will arise again in the future. Ultimately, it is up to politicians, policymakers, and Canadians themselves to work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming society for all.
