Century Initiative Welcomes 2022 Focus Canada Survey Results
Canadians continue to recognize the important economic and social contributions immigrants make to this country, according to a report released today by the Environics Institute, in partnership with the Century Initiative. The findings are included in the first report from the Environics Institute’s 2022 Focus Canada Survey, a public opinion research program first launched in 1976. This year’s survey of more than 2,000 Canadians provides important insights into Canadian attitudes towards immigration and refugees.
As the leading Canadian organization dedicated to responsible, sustainable population growth, Century Initiative is encouraged by the survey’s findings and we wanted to share some highlights with you, our supporters.
Here are the survey’s top four takeaways:
1. Despite rising inflation, issues of housing affordability, regional weather-related catastrophes, the health care crisis, and the rise of far-right political sentiment globally, support for immigration has actually strengthened this past year.
2. Even as the country is now taking in more than 400,000 newcomers each year, seven in ten Canadians express support for current immigration levels – the largest majority recorded on Environics surveys in 45 years. This view is driven in large part by what is now an established public consensus that immigration is important to the country's economy, along with increasing acknowledgement that Canada needs people from other countries in order to keep its population growing.
3. Despite, heated rhetoric around immigration through the provincial election, Quebecers are no less supportive of immigration and welcoming refugees than Canadians elsewhere in the country.
4. Equally important – over 85% – agree that immigration has a positive impact on the country’s economy – up 5% from 2021. Canadians continue to see immigrants as making Canada a better rather than a worse country, mostly because of what they contribute to diversity and to the economy. This view is acknowledged even by a majority (64%) who still maintain that immigration levels are too high.
The Focus Canada survey shows that when it is done right, Canadians will support immigration and recognize its economic value to the country. That is why CI’s work – and your support for it – is so important.
Read the full report.
Read the Globe and Mail's coverage.
