Recent data indicates a significant decline in public support for immigration in Canada, a country that has long prided itself on its diverse immigrant population. For over 25 years, immigration was largely a non-controversial topic in Canadian politics, with few politicians openly questioning its benefits. However, this trend appears to be shifting dramatically.

During a Liberal caucus retreat in Edmonton, Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the issue, stating that current immigration levels are not "sustainable" and that a more "focused" approach is necessary. He emphasized, "It's clear that we must improve our overall immigration policies."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a more aggressive stance, advocating for "very hard caps" on immigration. He criticized the Liberal government for allowing an influx of newcomers, claiming they have taken in "too many, too quickly." Poilievre also called for the elimination of the temporary foreign worker program.

British Columbia Premier David Eby, a member of the New Democratic Party, has also expressed concerns. He attributes rising homelessness and food insecurity in his province to what he describes as flawed immigration policies from Ottawa.

Recent surveys reveal that nearly 75% of Canadians now support reducing the number of new immigrants. Abacus Data has noted that immigration has surged to become one of the top three issues for nearly a third of voters. This shift in public sentiment follows findings from the Environics Institute, which reported that about 60% of Canadians believe too many immigrants are entering the country, marking a 31-point increase in just three years.

David Coletto, CEO of Abacus Data, remarked on the rapid change in public opinion, stating, "It's almost like whiplash in terms of how fast public opinion changed on that question. Think about the last 10 years; we went from Canada welcoming Syrian refugees with open arms to a posture today that is very closed off."

Young Canadians, facing challenges such as high unemployment and housing shortages, are particularly inclined to support the abolition of the temporary foreign worker program. Coletto noted, "I think the majority view is — actually I know the majority view is — close it down and let's reset to make sure we can kind of catch up on some of those things we feel are harder to get."

In a recent address, Poilievre attributed current economic shortages to government policies rather than the influx of immigrants. This change in attitude follows a period when the previous Liberal government relaxed restrictions on non-permanent residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a surge in international students and temporary foreign workers. Statistics Canada reported that the population grew by approximately one million people annually for three consecutive years, a rate not seen in a developed country in decades.

Mikal Skuterud, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo, stated that the previous Liberal policies have damaged the consensus around immigration. He said, "The vast majority of Canadians are clearly turning against immigration, but it doesn't mean they are nativistic or anti-immigrant or xenophobic. They're just opposed to what they've seen. They feel like the government has not managed this system properly — and they haven't."

Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner, the party's immigration critic, indicated that immigration will be a key focus for the Conservatives in the upcoming fall session. She stated, "The Liberals brought in too many people in too short a period of time. This is why we're saying abolish the temporary foreign worker program."

Liberal MP Marc Miller, a former immigration minister, acknowledged the need for reform in the temporary foreign worker program, citing issues such as fraud and industry dependency on temporary labor.

Karen Cocq, co-executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, argued that immigrants are being unfairly blamed for various societal issues. She pointed to corporate landlords and large grocery chains as contributors to the housing crisis and economic challenges, rather than migrants themselves. Cocq warned that rising anti-migrant sentiment could lead to increased hostility and violence against newcomers, stating, "Anti-migrant sentiment — it's a useful scapegoat and distraction. But it has very real-life, material impacts."