IRCC Minister Transition Binder 2025-05

Public Opinion Research on Canadians' Attitudes Towards Immigration

Context

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted regular telephone tracking surveys with Canadians since 1996 and online tracking surveys since 2018, along with focus groups. This research covers a wide range of topics, and the cornerstone has been Canadians’ views of immigration levels.

Views of Immigration Levels

Views of Immigration Levels
Number of immigrants
coming to Canada is
about right
Too few Too many
November 2024 34% 7% 54%
November 2023 48% 12% 35%
March 2023 52% 22% 22%
March 2022 53% 25% 15%
March 2021 60% 14% 22%
September 2020 61% 12% 22%
February 2020 57% 17% 22%
March 2019 54% 15% 24%
August 2018 49% 13% 28%
March 2018 55% 14% 27%
August 2017 52% 16% 27%
August 2016 52% 16% 23%
January 2016 58% 12% 16%
September 2014 52% 12% 26%
February 2014 52% 10% 26%
December 2012 53% 11% 27%
February 2012 51% 10% 30%
March 2010 54% 13% 23%
January 2009 50% 14% 26%
March 2007 55% 13% 27%
November 2006 48% 15% 28%
November 2005 48% 15% 30%
December 2004 49% 18% 29%
December 2003 43% 12% 39%
December 2002 44% 11% 36%
September 2001 47% 11% 36%
October 2000 51% 14% 33%
October 1999 49% 8% 40%
October 1998 49% 9% 38%
June 1997 47% 8% 41%
September 1996 44% 7% 46%
January 1996 42% 6% 46%

Source: IRCC Telephone Tracking Survey (January 1996 through November 2024)

Question: In your opinion do you feel that there are too many, too few, or about the right number of immigrants coming to Canada?

Provincial and Territorial Support for Immigration

Provincial and Territorial Support for Immigration
BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE NL Territories
Too few 6% 7% 14% 11% 6% 10% 9% 14% 6% 22% 14%
About right 34% 28% 36% 39% 27% 37% 42% 30% 38% 38% 52%
Too many 47% 56% 39% 37% 57% 44% 37% 48% 52% 36% 31%
Not sure 13% 8% 11% 13% 11% 9% 12% 7% 4% 3% 3%

Source: IRCC Telephone Tracking Survey (November 2024)

Question: Do you feel that there are too many, too few or about the right number of immigrants coming to your province or territory?

Views of Permanent Resident and Temporary Resident Levels

Housing and Immigration Beyond Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver

Economic and Social Values

Views of Refugees

IRCC’S 2024–2025 Annual Tracking Survey and Focus Groups Methodology

Page details

2025-09-11