Key Takeaways
- Immigrants are more likely to identify respect for human rights and gender equality as shared Canadian values compared to those born in Canada.
- The survey results show that immigrants tend to be more satisfied with their lives in Canada, with 58% of immigrants saying they are satisfied, compared to 44% of Canadian-born respondents.
- Immigrants play a crucial role in shaping Canada’s housing market, driving demand for owned homes and rentals, but their impact on housing prices is often misunderstood.
- Research suggests that immigration is responsible for around 10% of the increase in housing costs, and that other factors such as population growth and economic conditions have a greater impact.
- Planned cuts to immigration could have a negative effect on Canada’s economy, particularly in terms of GDP and international student spending.
Introduction to the Survey
The survey results, obtained by The Canadian Press through an access to information request, provide valuable insights into the attitudes and values of immigrants in Canada. The survey, conducted by Statistics Canada between August 2020 and February 2021, included a sample of over 34,000 people, with almost 14,000 landed immigrants. The results show that immigrants are more likely to identify respect for human rights, respect for the law, gender equality, linguistic duality, ethnic and cultural diversity, and respect for Indigenous culture as shared Canadian values. For example, 67% of immigrants who were aged 13 or older when they came to Canada see respect for the law as a shared Canadian value, while just 40% of respondents born in Canada agreed.
Immigrant Attitudes and Values
According to Lori Wilkinson, Canada Research Chair in migration at the University of Manitoba, the fact that immigrants are more likely to identify these values as Canadian is not surprising. She suggests that the longer immigrants stay in Canada, the more they adopt Canadian norms and values. This is reflected in the survey results, which show that immigrants who came to Canada at a younger age tend to have attitudes more similar to those of Canadian-born respondents. For instance, immigrants who came to Canada aged 12 and younger were more likely to agree that respect for the law is a shared Canadian value, with 55% of respondents in this age group agreeing, compared to 40% of Canadian-born respondents.
Satisfaction with Life in Canada
The survey also found that immigrants tend to be more satisfied with their lives in Canada, with 58% of immigrants saying they are satisfied, compared to 44% of Canadian-born respondents. Daniel Bernhard, CEO of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, suggests that this is because immigrants tend to be more focused on their potential for future prosperity, having made personal sacrifices to come to Canada. He notes that as long as immigrants feel they are making progress, they will be willing to stay in Canada. This is reflected in the survey results, which show that immigrants who have been in Canada for longer tend to be more satisfied with their lives, with 62% of immigrants who have been in Canada for 10 years or more saying they are satisfied, compared to 45% of Canadian-born respondents.
The Impact of Immigration on Housing
The briefing materials also discuss the impact of immigration on Canada’s housing market. While the federal government has linked increased housing costs to immigration, Bernhard suggests that this link is misunderstood. He notes that housing prices have doubled in some areas over the past 10 years, but the population has not increased at the same rate. Research from Statistics Canada suggests that immigration is responsible for around 10% of the increase in housing costs, with other factors such as population growth and economic conditions having a greater impact. For example, a June 2025 Statistics Canada report found that immigration accounted for 11% of the increase in median home prices between 2006 and 2021.
Regional Variations and Housing Demands
Wilkinson is critical of the way the briefing materials discuss the effect of immigration on housing, noting that there is a lack of regional detail. She suggests that planned cuts to immigration could have a negative effect on Canada’s economy, particularly in terms of GDP and international student spending. According to Wilkinson, international students spend around $4 billion per year, and cutting immigration numbers could lead to a significant reduction in this spending. This could have a disproportionate impact on certain regions, such as urban areas with high concentrations of international students. For example, a study by the Canadian Bureau for International Education found that international students generate over $15 billion in economic activity each year, with the majority of this activity occurring in urban areas.
Conclusion and Future Implications
In conclusion, the survey results provide valuable insights into the attitudes and values of immigrants in Canada. The findings suggest that immigrants tend to be more satisfied with their lives in Canada and are more likely to identify respect for human rights and gender equality as shared Canadian values. However, the impact of immigration on housing is often misunderstood, and research suggests that other factors have a greater impact on housing prices. As the federal government considers planned cuts to immigration, it is essential to consider the potential economic implications and the importance of regional detail in understanding the impact of immigration on housing. By doing so, policymakers can make informed decisions that balance the need to manage immigration numbers with the need to support economic growth and development.
