The latest immigration targets set by the Canadian government have sparked mixed reactions among recent immigrants, with a significant portion expressing concerns about the number of newcomers being admitted into the country. According to a recent Leger poll, 42 percent of respondents who immigrated to Canada within the past decade believe that the Liberals’ new immigration plans are too permissive.
The poll also revealed that support for the federal Conservatives is strongest among Canadian immigrants, particularly among Chinese immigrants, whose support for the Tories outweighs their support for the Liberals by nearly three to one.
The survey, which included over 2,000 adults who immigrated to Canada in the last ten years, showed that a little over a third of respondents believe the new immigration plan will bring in the right number of people, while only seven percent think it won’t let in enough immigrants. Seventeen percent of respondents did not provide a clear answer.
Andrew Enns, vice-president of Leger, noted that these findings offer valuable insights into the shifting dynamics of Canadian politics, particularly within ethnic communities. He highlighted that the Liberals have traditionally performed well with the newcomer vote, but the recent poll results suggest a shift in support towards the Conservatives.
Among those who expressed a preference for a political party, 24 percent reported supporting the Conservatives, 22 percent favored the Liberals, and eight percent aligned with the NDP. The Conservatives garnered the most support from Chinese immigrants, with 30 percent backing the party compared to 10 percent supporting the Liberals.
The survey also highlighted varying levels of support for the Conservatives among different ethnic groups, with Southeast Asian immigrants evenly split between the Conservatives and Liberals, while South Asian immigrants showed a preference for the Conservatives.
Overall, the poll results shed light on the diverse perspectives of recent immigrants towards Canada’s immigration policies and political landscape. With ongoing discussions about easing immigration targets and addressing housing and affordability issues, the views of newcomers play a crucial role in shaping the future of immigration policy in Canada.