Newcomers less likely to support immigration than mainstream Canadians
Recent immigrants and visible minorities are less likely to support immigration than mainstream Canadians, says a new study.
The study, by the Institute for Research on Public Policy released Tuesday, also found women, retirees, people with high school education or less, those struggling to secure jobs and Conservative party supporters are less open to immigration.
Overall though, Canada’s support for immigration remains high despite economic recessions, threats of terrorism and the most recent arrival of illegal migrants off the coast of British Columbia.
“Multiculturalism is a big part of the Canadian identity, like our national parks, health care and the flag,” said report author Jeffrey Reitz, professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs. “Those who identify with multiculturalism are also more pro-immigration.”
Reitz examined annual Canadian surveys by three major pollsters dating back to 1975 and found a majority of Canadians (over 50 per cent) supported immigration levels or wanted them increased through the years except in 1982, a recession year.
But he also found more than 58 per cent of Canadian-born favoured immigration compared to 54.9 per cent among recent newcomers and visible minorities.
Recent newcomers from developing countries tend to have conservative social values and that explains why this group warms less to immigration and is more in line with a Conservative political agenda, Reitz explained.
“Conservative supporters are less enthusiastic about immigration and multiculturalism,” he added. “Their strategy (during May’s federal election) was to seek support from immigrants by tapping into their conservative social values.”