Public concern about immigration levels in Canada appears to have eased compared with 2025, according to a new EKOS poll conducted for the Association for Canadian Studies.

The survey found that 45% of respondents believe Canada admits too many immigrants, while 31% said the current level is about right and 13% said Canada does not admit enough.

Although 45% remains the largest response, the figure is 13 percentage points lower than the 58% recorded in a separate Leger poll in March 2025.

The result provides an interesting snapshot of how Canadian attitudes toward immigration may be changing as governments debate immigration levels, housing, labour shortages and economic needs.

Immigration Concern Remains Significant, But the Direction Has Changed

The survey does not suggest that opposition to current immigration levels has disappeared.

Almost half of respondents still said Canada admits too many immigrants.

However, the decline from 58% to 45% is significant enough to indicate that public sentiment is not static.

The poll also found that the share saying Canada does not admit enough immigrants has increased compared with the earlier survey.

That matters because immigration policy is increasingly shaped by a balance between different pressures. Governments must consider labour-market needs and demographic trends while also responding to public concerns about housing, infrastructure and population growth.

Regional Differences are Notable

Attitudes varied considerably across Canada.

Respondents in Manitoba and Saskatchewan were the most likely to say immigration levels are too high, at 52%.

Atlantic Canada followed at 50%.

The corresponding figure was 46% in both Alberta and Ontario.

At the other end of the scale, British Columbia recorded 39%, while Quebec recorded 40%.

These differences are important because immigration does not affect every province in exactly the same way.

Labour-market shortages, population growth, housing conditions and the concentration of newcomers can vary significantly from one region to another.

Immigrant-Born Canadians Also Expressed Different Views

The poll found a notable difference based on respondents’ birthplace.

Among people born in Canada, 47% said immigration levels were too high.

Among respondents born outside Canada, the figure was 35%.

This difference suggests that views on immigration can vary depending on personal experience with immigration and settlement.

However, a poll captures public opinion at one point in time. It should not be treated as evidence that Canadian immigration policy will automatically change in response to the results.

What Could This Mean for Future Immigration Policy?

Canada’s immigration system is influenced by much more than public opinion polls.

The federal government considers factors such as labour-market needs, economic conditions, population growth, housing pressures, temporary resident levels and the capacity of communities to support newcomers.

The survey therefore provides useful context, but it does not determine future immigration targets.

For prospective immigrants, the practical lesson is simple: do not make an immigration decision based on a single opinion poll.

Program eligibility, government targets and selection rules remain the factors that determine whether someone can immigrate to Canada.

At ImmigCanada, our immigration consulting services help applicants assess their options based on current program requirements rather than headlines or assumptions about future policy.

Why This Matters for Immigrants?

Canada’s immigration debate has become more nuanced.

The latest poll suggests that while concerns about immigration remain substantial, the intensity of those concerns may be declining.

For immigrants and prospective applicants, the bigger question is how governments translate economic and social priorities into actual immigration programs.

Until formal changes are announced, applicants should continue to rely on official program requirements and government announcements.

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