Views on benefits of immigration split in Canada
Credit to Author: Canadian Immigrant| Date: Wed, 06 Feb 2019 20:57:47 +0000
Region and age impact Canadians’ views on the benefits of immigration
Almost half of Canadians (46 per cent) think immigration is having a mostly positive effect in Canada, according to a national online survey by Research.co.
And a majority (55 per cent) believe the hard work and talent of immigrants makes Canada better.
But there are also lots of negative feelings. Two in five Canadians (39 per cent) disagree that the talent of immigrants make Canada better — including 46 per cent of British Columbians.
In all, 36 per cent of Canadians believe immigration is having a mostly negative effect in the country, including 42 per cent of Albertans.
These views have a generational link, suggests the research.
“The way in which Canadians currently feel about immigration is related to age,” says Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “While sizeable proportions of residents aged 18 to 34 (55 per cent) and 55 and over (46 per cent) hold positive views, the proportion drops among those aged 35 to 54 (39 per cent).”
Increase, decrease or keep immigration levels the same?
Also according to the online poll, only one-in-five Canadians (20 per cent) would increase the number of legal immigrants, while 35 per cent would keep the same levels and 36 per cent call for a decrease.
Canadians aged 35 to 54 are the most likely to urge for a reduction in the number of legal immigrants to Canada (40 per cent) and the least likely to believe an increase is warranted.
Half of Canadians (50 per cent) believe immigrants should only be allowed in Canada if they adopt Canadian values — a proportion that rises significantly among Albertans (61 per cent) and residents aged 55 and over (62 per cent).