Canadian Public Opposition to Immigration Declines Ahead of New Targets

Public opposition to immigration in Canada is declining as the federal government prepares to announce immigration targets for 2027 to 2029. A September 2026 poll by the Environics Institute found that 48% of Canadians believe the country accepts too many immigrants, representing a 10-percentage-point drop from 2024.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab is managing this shift while facing pressure from provincial leaders and employers to resolve critical labor shortages in cybersecurity, construction, and heavy equipment operations. These shortages threaten the goals of Prime Minister Mark Carney to expand the defense, mining, and energy sectors.

While 75% of Canadians now believe immigration benefits the economy, deep political divides persist. Approximately 80% of Conservative supporters continue to view immigration levels as too high. The federal government must now balance the urgent demand for skilled workers against persistent concerns regarding infrastructure, housing, and the integration of newcomers.