A more streamlined immigration system could mean stronger communities across Canada. Here’s how

For years, Canada expanded its immigration numbers across multiple streams—from economic migrants to temporary foreign workers and international students. Now, it’s scaling back annual admissions to support sustainable immigration levels. Canada is prioritizing economic immigration to attract the best talent, fill critical labour gaps, and complement the domestic workforce.

In light of Canada’s revised immigration strategy, the Environics Institute asked Canadians about the impact of immigrants on their communities. Below are their key findings:

Canada would benefit from better-managed immigration systems

A little more than half of Canadians (52%) believe that better management of immigration systems by governments would lead to sustainable immigration alongside stable economic growth.

One in three Canadians in British Columbia (32%) believe that the government needs to better manage immigration systems—in line with the national average (33%)—and slightly lower than Ontario (36%), although similar sentiments are found across the country. 

• Streamlining immigration would also help to achieve more sustainable economic growth and employment opportunities for Canadians and newcomers alike, say 31% respondents.
• Such strategies would also make housing more affordable (27%) and ensure more equitable distribution of finances to where they are most needed (20%).

While Canada is a global leader in providing refuge to individuals and families seeking safety from war and persecution, bad actors who try to take advantage of the system are causing respondents to the survey to question whether refugee applications need to be better screened.

Better integration of newcomers would lead to safer, more welcoming communities

Six in 10 Canadians believe that overall, more newcomers need to adopt Canadian values, and are of the opinion that the manner in which they settle and integrate into communities is important, once they arrive.

Among the three English-speaking provinces to which newcomers prefer to migrate, the sentiment is lowest in British Columbia (61%), but higher than the national average, while it is higher still in Ontario (63%) and Alberta (67%). That rate is slightly lower (58%) in Quebec, Canada’s Francophone province. 

• For the first time in more than a decade, Canadians are more than twice as likely to strongly agree with the need for newcomers to better integrate than strongly disagree.
• The agreement among Canadians concerning newcomers better integrating into communities has been on an upward trajectory since 2022.

Nevertheless, the majority of Canadians (more than eight in 10) believe that newcomers who move to Canada, and represent a diverse range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are just as likely to be good citizens as compared to someone born in the country. 

Communities across Canada have largely benefited from immigration

Across the country, more than seven in 10 Canadians believe that immigrants either make their communities better or make no difference at all. Newcomers are most valued for the diversity they bring and represent.

Three in 10 Canadians believe that immigrants make their communities a better place, twice the number of respondents who are of the opposite view. 

• Among those who say that immigrants benefit communities, the main reason given is the multiculturalism and diversity that they bring, say 72% of respondents.
• Others emphasize the practical impact of helping local economies, i.e. creating new businesses, expanding the customer base, and growing the labour force.
• This view has strengthened in British Columbia (38% respondents believe immigration is a net positive), as well as Saskatchewan and Manitoba (37%).

Some respondents, however, believe that proper screening of immigrants to Canada would positively impact the economy in a sustainable manner, make housing prices more affordable, lead to manageable population growth, and decrease security risks.

Canada’s policy of multiculturalism makes it uniquely attractive to newcomers

About one in three Canadians believes that their country is unique because of its approach to multiculturalism and diversity: a theme that encompasses acceptance of immigrants and refugees, tolerance of differences, and acknowledgment of Indigenous Peoples and culture.

One in five Canadians also believes that being perceived as humble and nice makes their country a welcoming place for newcomers to settle.

• About one in two Canadians from racialized backgrounds (49%), with a university education (46%), and first-generation Canadians (44%) identify multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion as the most unique aspect of their country.
• Similarly, about one in 10 people say that the personal freedoms, democratic institutions, and political systems also make it a sought-after location for immigrants.

Although multiculturalism was seen as the main reason for Canada’s uniqueness, that number has dipped over the past five years (2021 to 2025), while the welcoming nature of Canadians is an issue on which more people found common cause over that same period.

Overall, Canada remains a welcoming nation that continues to attract highly skilled newcomers. Aligning immigration programs with economic needs and realities will help sustain this strength.