Survey finds majority of Canadians support deeper immigration cuts

A federal survey has revealed that a 16% reduction in Canada’s immigration quota this year did not go far enough, with many Canadians calling for even deeper cuts.

Blacklock's Reporter says the research, conducted by the Department of Immigration, found widespread concern over record-high immigration levels.

According to the report, 54% of Canadians believe too many immigrants are coming to the country. The strongest support for further reductions came from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

The survey also found that the recent cuts outlined in the Immigration Levels Plan failed to meet public expectations.

Last October, the federal government announced plans to lower the number of annual landed immigrants from 471,800 to 395,000 in 2025.

However, according to the 2025 Online Tracking Survey, 52% of respondents still felt that number was too high. Even when informed that 395,000 represented a 20% drop from previous targets, 44% of respondents maintained that the figure remained excessive.

When asked why they felt this way, 40% cited housing concerns, 25% worried about unemployment, and 22% believed Canada should prioritize its own citizens. Another 9% mentioned concerns over insufficient social or cultural integration.

Regional breakdowns showed that 61% of Albertans felt immigration levels were too high, followed by 59% in Saskatchewan, 58% in Ontario, and 56% in British Columbia. Other provinces also reflected similar sentiments, with lower percentages recorded in Québec (44%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (39%).

When considering immigration at a local level, responses were more evenly divided. Researchers noted that 41% of Canadians felt their town or city had too many immigrants, while 39% believed the numbers were appropriate.

The survey, which gathered responses from 2,500 Canadians, was conducted by Ottawa-based pollster Phoenix Strategic Perspectives at a cost of $74,956.

As part of its latest immigration policy changes, the federal government has also capped the number of international students at 606,250 and plans to reduce the number of foreign workers by 65,000 from 765,262.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended the government’s approach, acknowledging Canada’s recent population surge and emphasizing the need to allow infrastructure and communities to catch up.

“We are pausing population growth by reducing immigration numbers for the next two years so we can get back to a place where Canada can grow sustainably,” said Trudeau.