Canadian Immigration Poll

As attitudinal revelations go in assessing the public mood with relation to the incredibly high numbers of immigrants that Canada invites yearly to its shores, this was a fascinating poll. Done by Forum Research, and commissioned by the National Post, the poll results were revealing and somewhat surprising. In that it found that Canadians of recent immigrant stock were just as likely as nativist Canadians to welcome new Canadians, but do so selectively.

The poll found that 70% of the Canadian adults polled were in full support of limits to immigration. Most Canadians born in another country and who migrated to Canada were 58% in support of limits to immigration. Those whose parents were not born in Canada agreed 66% in support of limiting the number of those qualified, rather than accept all prospective, qualified immigrants.

"There is enthusiasm for controlled immigration of immediate families from countries with our values, and Canadians see no reason why immigrants can't hold on to their previous nationality. We're actually more welcoming than we make ourselves out to be", agreed Lorne Bozinoff, president and founder of Forum Research.

There appeared to be agreement across all provinces, across party lines and political affiliations, with opinion ranging between 64% and 77% in favour of limiting the number of qualified immigrants. On the other hand, most of those polled declared themselves satisfied with the current numbers of annual immigrants. And that would be in the quarter-million range. Meaning that every four years Canada welcomes a million new immigrants.

The latest issued numbers of 2012 immigration figures show that Canada admitted 257,515 immigrants, an increase of almost ten thousand from the year before.  The criteria of admission to Canada have been altered recently with a government attempt to make a better match between the country's economic needs and at the same time limit the abuse of the generous system. 

Language requirements have been tightened, and penalties for evading the truth on immigration forms are harsher.

There is a greater emphasis on Canadian labour market skills requirements. "There's still a segment of the population that has a variety of concerns about numbers, economic impacts, security issues. And the majority of Canadians, independent of the concerns they have, feel that immigration makes a positive contribution to the country", commented Jack Jedwab, executive director, Association for Canadian Studies, Montreal.

"The general feeling is that the majority of Canadians do not feel that there are too many immigrants in the country. Do Canadians want immigrants whose skills match the economic needs? I would say they do ... I think the Canadian government is attempting to respond to that", added Mr. Jedwab.  

Yet 49% of respondents felt Canada should accept immigrants from countries sharing Canadian values, while 43% were in favour of immigrants representing all nations being admitted.

Roderic Beaujot, professor emeritus of sociology, Western University,whose own research looks at population and immigration said: "Even in one country, there are some people that have different values. It would be very hard to use that as a criteria for admission. It would be of course impossible to administer. What this says is there is some concern among Canadians.... About how immigrants can not be sharing Canadian values, and how to deal with that."

The majority of those polled (62%) felt immigrants to Canada should abandon their native cultural values when they conflict with Canadian values. Among those born in Canada support stood at 65%, and among those born elsewhere, at 48%.

"Their perception is there are certain groups of immigrants who don't adhere to gender equality as a value that most Canadians share... It's not a concern to be dismissed, but not sufficiently strong that we need to rethink our immigration policy", said Mr. Jedwab.

Q: Should Canada accept all qualified immigrants to want to enter the country, or should we limit the number of immigrants allowed in each year? 
Born in Canada: Limit the number of immigrants - 73%
Not born in Canada: 58%

Q: Do you agree or disagree: Immigrants accepted to Canada should be allowed to bring their extended family with them, including parents, grandparents and grown children?
Greater numbers disagree

Q: Do you agree or disagree: Immigrants accepted to Canada should be allowed to bring their immediate family with them, including spouses and dependent children?
Far greater numbers agree

Q: Do you agree or disagree: Canadians should be allowed to hold dual nationality?
Agree: 60%    Disagree: 31%

Q: Do you agree or disagree: Immigrants must abandon their native cultural values when they conflict with Canadian cultural values?
Agree: 62%   Disagree: 26%