Title: Poll Shows Majority of Canadians Oppose New Immigration

A recent national poll indicates that a significant majority of Canadians believe the country does not require new immigrants. The survey, conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies, revealed that 60% of respondents disagreed with the statement that "Canada needs new immigrants." The highest levels of opposition were reported in Alberta (65%), Ontario (63%), and Quebec (61%). Other regions, including Manitoba and Saskatchewan (60%), the Atlantic provinces (56%), and British Columbia (48%), also showed notable resistance to increased immigration.

Interestingly, the poll found that Canadian immigrants were slightly more favorable toward welcoming new arrivals compared to non-immigrants. Just over half of the immigrants surveyed (52%) agreed that Canada needs new immigrants, while only 37% of non-immigrants shared this view. However, 48% of immigrants still disagreed with the notion that the country requires more immigration.

Jack Jedwab, the chief executive of the Association for Canadian Studies, expressed surprise at the findings, especially given the ongoing debate about immigration in Canada, which he described as one of the most significant in the past 25 years. He referenced a recent Statistics Canada report indicating that the country's population growth has nearly plateaued, suggesting that new arrivals are essential despite public skepticism. "Canada needs immigration despite many feeling otherwise," he stated.

Jedwab attributed some of the anti-immigration sentiment to the government's ineffective communication with the public regarding the importance of immigration. He urged politicians to remind citizens of immigration's significance and to focus discussions on how many newcomers are needed based on the country's capacity.

The survey also highlighted generational differences in attitudes toward immigration. Respondents aged 18 to 24 and those 65 and older were the most supportive of welcoming new immigrants, with 46% in favor. Conversely, anti-immigration sentiment was most pronounced among working-age individuals, which Jedwab suggested might stem from perceived competition in the job market. He noted that concerns about security issues also contribute to the growing skepticism surrounding immigration.

When asked about cultural assimilation, respondents were divided. Fifty-one percent agreed that immigrants should abandon their customs and traditions in favor of those of the majority. Support for this view was highest in Quebec (60%), followed by Alberta (55%), the Atlantic provinces (49%), Ontario (48%), British Columbia (47%), and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (46%).

Despite this, a substantial majority of Canadians (85%) believe it is important to pass on their customs and traditions to future generations. Jedwab pointed out the contradiction in public sentiment, noting that many Canadians want to preserve their customs while simultaneously expecting newcomers to assimilate. He emphasized the need for clearer discussions about integration and assimilation in Canada, suggesting that the current discourse reflects a shift away from the pride in the country's multicultural mosaic.

In a comparison with the United States, the poll found that Americans, who are often viewed as a cultural melting pot, were less supportive of cultural assimilation than Canadians. Nearly 71% of Americans disagreed with the idea that immigrants should give up their customs and traditions, compared to just under 50% of Canadians.

The online poll surveyed 1,627 Canadians between August 29 and 31. Due to the nature of the survey, a margin of error cannot be calculated for this non-probability sample. However, a probability sample would have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.52%, 19 times out of 20.