Public Views on Immigration

Research Report
Submitted to: Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
September 2016
PWGSC Contract #: B8815-170150/001/CY
POR Registration #: POR – 025-16
Contract Award Date: 20/07/2016
Supplier: EKOS Research Associates
For more information: por-rop@cic.gc.ca
Ce rapport est aussi disponible en français.

Background

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) mission is to work with its partners to build a stronger Canada by developing and implementing policies, programs and services that facilitate the arrival of persons and their integration to Canada in a way that maximizes their contribution to the country while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians; and enhance the values and promote the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship. Building a stronger Canada also involves advancing global migration policies in a way that supports Canada’s immigration and humanitarian objectives.
IRCC takes an approach to immigration that responds to the needs of communities in all parts of the country by creating opportunities for individuals to come to Canada to make an economic, social, cultural, and civic contribution while also realizing their full potential, with a view to becoming citizens. The Department also supports global humanitarian efforts to assist those in need of protection. IRCC, along with its partners, realizes this vision through appropriate policies, programs, and services.

Objectives

IRCC conducts an ongoing research program to help the Department develop a better understanding of Canadian attitudes toward the issues surrounding citizenship and immigration.
The research objectives of this study included the following:
- Explore perceptions of immigration and Canada;
- Measure perceptions of the numbers of immigrants coming to Canada;
- Impact of immigration on Canada;
- Canada's immigration system and priorities;
- The settlement and integration of immigrants; and
- Priorities for the Government of Canada.
The information gained through this public opinion research can be extrapolated to the wider population of Canadians and will be shared throughout the Department to assist it when establishing priorities, developing policies and communications products and strategies, and planning programs and services.

Methodology

The methodology for this research involved a national Random Digit Dial (RDD) telephone survey of 1,598 Canadians. A sample of this size yields a margin of error +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20
The target audience for the survey consisted of individuals aged 18 years and over selected randomly from the Canadian general population, including immigrants, as well as an oversample of members of the Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
The data were weighted according to region, age, gender and membership in the Indigenous community (using Statistics Canada 2011 Census data) in order to reflect the actual proportions of these variables in the Canadian adult population.
The following table outlines the unweighted sample, the weighted sample, and the margin of error for each of the subgroups presented in this report:

Demographic	Unweighted count	Weighted count	Margin of error
Total	1,598	1,598	±2.45

Region

Demographic	Unweighted count	Weighted count	Margin of error
Atlantic Canada	151	114	±7.97
Quebec	332	383	±5.38
Ontario	552	610	±4.17
Prairies (MB/SK)	151	104	±7.97
Alberta	200	168	±6.93
British Columbia/Territories	212	219	±6.73

Immigration status

Demographic	Unweighted count	Weighted count	Margin of error
Born outside of Canada	311	358	±5.56
Born in Canada	1,285	1,238	±2.73

Membership in the Indigenous peoples community

Demographic	Unweighted count	Weighted count	Margin of error
Indigenous	179	68	±7.32
Non-Indigenous	1,409	1,520	±2.61

The interviews were 13 minutes in length and conducted in respondents’ official language of choice.
A full methodology report including all information about the execution of the fieldwork that is needed to replicate the research initiative is provided under a separate cover:
- sample size, sampling procedures and dates of research fieldwork;
- weighting procedures, the confidence interval and the margin of error;
- the response rate and method of calculation; and
- the research instruments in English and French.
The total contract value of this project was $62,903.15 (including HST).

A note on significance tests

An asterisk (*) denotes a demographic sub-group where the results were statistically significantly different from the average of the other demographic sub-groups in that category, meaning, the difference is not due to chance.

Summary of key findings

Survey results reveal that half of Canadians (52%) feel that the right number of immigrants are coming to Canada while 23% feel there are too many immigrants coming to Canada and 16% feel there are too few

However, when told that 260,000 new immigrants come to Canada each year, the proportion who think there are too many immigrants increases from 23% to 32%
The plurality of Canadians feel that economic immigrants should be given highest priority (37%), however economic immigrants are only slightly ahead of family members (30%) and refugees (29%)
Half of Canadians (51%) support increasing the number of economic immigrants coming to Canada
Results reveal strong support for the idea that Canada has a history of welcoming immigrants (82%), and two-thirds feel that immigration contributes to the economy and is necessary to sustain our economic growth. However only a minority (47%) feel Canada has the capacity to welcome more immigrants than it is currently accepting

When asked about the impact of immigration, most feel it is positive for the country (72%) and their province (67%), but as the options become more localized support decreases (only 59% feel immigration has a positive impact on their city, and only 52% feel it has a positive impact on their neighbourhood)
Views are mixed in terms of the number of refugees coming to Canada: four in ten feel the right number of refugees are coming to Canada, but a sizeable proportion feel there are too many (30%) or too few (19%)
Moreover, while seven in ten feel that accepting refugees is part of Canada's humanitarian tradition, and that Canada has a responsibility to do its part in accepting refugees, fewer than half feel that refugees have a positive impact on the economy or that Canada has a responsibility to help asylum seekers
Generally speaking, residents of Quebec and Atlantic Canada, as well as those born outside Canada, express more positive views on immigration and refugees. Those in Alberta and Manitoba/Saskatchewan, as well as those born in Canada, express less positive views on immigration and refugees.

I hereby certify as Senior Officer of EKOS Research Associates Inc. that the deliverables fully comply with the Government of Canada political neutrality requirements outlined in the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada and Procedures for Planning and Contracting Public Opinion Research. Specifically, the deliverables do not include information on electoral voting intentions, political party preferences, standings with the electorate or ratings of the performance of a political party or its leaders.
Derek Jansen
Vice President
EKOS Research

Immigration Levels

Unaided perceptions of immigration levels

Q: In your opinion do you feel that there are too many, too few or about the right number of immigrants coming to Canada?

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Too many	23%	17%	17%	23%	29%	32%	24%	24%	18%	30%	23%
About the right number	52%	44%	60%	51%	54%	45%	49%	52%	52%	40%	53%
Too few	16%	29%	16%	15%	12%	13%	19%	16%	17%	19%	16%
Don't know/Refused	9%	9%	7%	10%	6%	11%	8%	8%	13%	12%	9%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Unaided perceptions of immigration number

Q: In total, approximately how many new immigrants do you think Canada allows into the country each year?

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec*	Ontario*	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories *	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
<150,000	54%	54%	62%	52%	56%	53%	47%	55%	50%	52%	54%
150,000-299,999	10%	5%	8%	12%	7%	10%	9%	10%	10%	4%	10%
300,000+	6%	6%	5%	7%	1%	6%	10%	6%	7%	4%	7%
Don't know/Refused	30%	35%	25%	29%	36%	31%	33%	29%	32%	40%	29%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Aided perceptions of immigration levels

Q: In fact, in the last few years approximately 260,000 new immigrants came to Canada each year. Knowing this, do you feel there are too many, too few, or about the right number of immigrants coming to Canada?

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories *	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Too many	32%	27%	27%	33%	39%	37%	36%	33%	29%	43%	32%
About the right number	50%	48%	58%	50%	46%	45%	43%	50%	51%	41%	50%
Too few	12%	20%	11%	12%	10%	12%	14%	13%	12%	9%	13%
Don't know/Refused	5%	5%	4%	6%	4%	7%	7%	4%	8%	7%	5%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Immigration Priorities

Q: Currently, there are different categories of immigrants entering Canada. In your view, which of the following categories should be the most important priority?

	Economic immigrants	The family members of people already in Canada	Refugees
First priority	37%	30%	29%
Second priority	27%	43%	24%
Third priority	30%	22%	41%
Don't know/Refused	6%	5%	6%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Receptivity to Increasing Immigration

Support for general immigration increase

Q: The Canadian population is approximately 36 million. This year, the Government of Canada may bring in up to 160,000 economic immigrants such as skilled workers, caregivers and entrepreneurs. Thinking ahead over the next five years, the government may wish to increase the number of immigrants coming to Canada with that increase coming MAINLY from economic immigrants. To what extent would you support or oppose this?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Oppose (1-4)	21%	20%	15%	22%	25%	29%	25%	24%	13%	36%	21%
Neither (5-6)	26%	26%	24%	27%	33%	22%	23%	27%	20%	22%	26%
Support (7-10)	51%	52%	60%	49%	39%	46%	51%	47%	64%	39%	52%
Don't know/Refused	2%	2%	1%	2%	3%	2%	1%	2%	3%	4%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Reasons for support of general immigration increase

Q: And what is the main reason why you say that?
Among those who say ‘support’ (7-10)

Economic development

Need for qualified/skilled workforce	29%
Economic development	23%
Population needs to be increased	8%
Need to place people in vacant sectors	3%
Immigrants bring innovation	1%
Total	64%

Support/Trust plans

Beneficial to Canada	5%
Support it (general mention)	3%
Trust government judgement	1%
Total	8%

Multiculturalism

Canada is a welcoming country	6%
Support for multiculturalism	2%
Total	8%

Other

Other	14%
Not enough information	1%
Don’t know	4%

BASE: Those who support increased economic immigration; August 2016 (n=783), MOE +/- 3.5%, 19 times out of 20

Reasons for opposition of general immigration increase

Q: And what is the main reason why you say that?
Among those who say ‘oppose’ (1-4)

‘Canada first’

Importance of taking care of Canadians first	54%
Already have enough skilled/qualified workers	4%
Total	58%

Capacity issues

Lack of infrastructure/resources/supports in place	9%
Should be some, but just not too many	2%
Total	11%

Integration issues

Canada does not need more immigrants	5%
Loss of common values	3%
Some taking advantage, not working	1%
Total	11%

Priority areas

Disagree with prioritizing economic immigrants over refugees	6%

Other

Other	11%
Don’t know	2%

BASE: Those who oppose increased economic immigration; August 2016 (n=364), MOE +/- 5.1%, 19 times out of 20

Support for increasing economic immigration: 100,000

Q: Over the next five years, to what extent would you support or oppose increasing the number of economic immigrants by 100,000?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Oppose (1-4)	29%	27%	23%	29%	35%	37%	32%	32%	20%	47%	28%
Neither (5-6)	26%	19%	25%	26%	31%	34%	23%	26%	24%	13%	26%
Support (7-10)	42%	50%	50%	40%	33%	27%	41%	38%	53%	40%	42%
Don't know	4%	5%	3%	5%	2%	2%	3%	4%	3%	0%	4%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.5%, 19 times out of 20

Support for increasing economic immigration: 200,000

Q: Over the next five years, to what extent would you support or oppose increasing the number of economic immigrants by 200,000?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Oppose (1-4)	33%	34%	28%	35%	31%	35%	32%	37%	17%	53%	32%
Neither (5-6)	26%	28%	24%	26%	33%	26%	23%	28%	18%	14%	27%
Support (7-10)	38%	38%	44%	34%	36%	38%	40%	32%	58%	28%	38%
Don't know	4%	0%	4%	5%	0%	2%	5%	3%	6%	4%	3%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.5%, 19 times out of 20

Attitudes towards immigration

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

	Canada has a history of welcoming immigrants	The Government of Canada has an important part to play in helping immigrants to integrate into Canadian society	The Government of Canada has an important part to play in helping Canadians to accept and welcome immigrants into their communities	Immigrants contribute to our economy by working, starting businesses or creating jobs	Immigration is necessary if Canada is to sustain its economic growth [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Immigration is necessary if Canada is to sustain its economic growth in the face of an aging population [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Immigrants to Canada support our country by fostering innovation and new ideas	Canada has the capacity to welcome more immigrants than it is currently accepting
Oppose (1-4)	5%	11%	12%	13%	17%	17%	15%	27%
Neither (5-6)	11%	14%	15%	19%	16%	18%	21%	21%
Support (7-10)	82%	75%	72%	67%	65%	64%	61%	47%
Don't know	1%	1%	1%	2%	2%	2%	2%	4%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20 [larger for split samples]

Agreement with Canada’s history welcoming immigrants

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements:Canada has a history of welcoming immigrants.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	5%	8%	3%	5%	5%	6%	6%	6%	4%	13%	5%
Neither (5-6)	11%	10%	10%	11%	12%	14%	11%	13%	7%	9%	11%
Agree (7-10)	82%	81%	84%	82%	82%	81%	80%	80%	89%	75%	82%
Don't know	1%	1%	3%	1%	1%	0%	2%	2%	1%	2%	1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with GoC’s role in integration: Immigrants

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: The Government of Canada has an important part to play in helping immigrants to integrate into Canadian society.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta *	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	11%	12%	6%	11%	16%	17%	8%	12%	7%	17%	10%
Neither (5-6)	14%	12%	10%	13%	14%	19%	16%	14%	12%	16%	13%
Agree (7-10)	75%	75%	82%	74%	70%	64%	75%	73%	80%	63%	75%
Don't know	1%	1%	1%	1%	0%	0%	1%	1%	1%	4%	1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with GoC’s role in integration: Canadians

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: The Government of Canada has an important part to play in helping Canadians to accept and welcome immigrants into their communities.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	12%	13%	9%	11%	11%	27%	10%	14%	8%	20%	12%
Neither (5-6)	15%	13%	13%	15%	20%	12%	17%	15%	14%	14%	15%
Agree (7-10)	72%	73%	76%	73%	68%	61%	73%	70%	78%	62%	62%
Don't know	1%	1%	2%	1%	1%	0%	1%	1%	1%	4%	1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with immigrants’ contribution to economy

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Immigrants contribute to our economy by working, starting businesses or creating jobs.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	13%	14%	11%	12%	15%	20%	12%	14%	8%	24%	12%
Neither (5-6)	19%	14%	14%	19%	30%	14%	21%	20%	14%	21%	19%
Agree (7-10)	67%	70%	69%	68%	54%	63%	66%	64%	77%	50%	68%
Don't know	2%	1%	2%	2%	1%	3%	1%	2%	1%	5%	1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with necessity of immigration: economic growth

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Immigration is necessary if Canada is to sustain its economic growth.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	17%	20%	12%	17%	26%	20%	18%	19%	9%	23%	17%
Neither (5-6)	16%	13%	16%	15%	23%	10%	18%	16%	15%	21%	15%
Agree (7-10)	65%	63%	70%	64%	49%	69%	62%	63%	73%	47%	66%
Don't know	2%	4%	1%	3%	1%	1%	2%	2%	2%	9%	2%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with necessity of immigration: aging population

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Immigration is necessary if Canada is to sustain its economic growth in the face of an aging population.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	17%	23%	14%	16%	18%	28%	12%	19%	10%	29%	16%
Neither (5-6)	18%	17%	25%	14%	22%	13%	17%	19%	13%	20%	18%
Agree (7-10)	64%	60%	60%	68%	58%	59%	67%	61%	76%	49%	65%
Don't know	2%	0%	1%	2%	2%	0%	3%	1%	2%	2%	1%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with immigration fostering innovation

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Immigrants to Canada support our country by fostering innovation and new ideas.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	15%	17%	11%	15%	19%	23%	17%	17%	9%	24%	15%
Neither (5-6)	21%	22%	22%	21%	31%	22%	18%	23%	16%	21%	22%
Agree (7-10)	61%	61%	64%	63%	49%	52%	64%	58%	72%	51%	62%
Don't know	2%	1%	2%	1%	1%	4%	2%	2%	2%	4%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with Canada’s capacity to welcome more immigrants

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Canada has the capacity to welcome more immigrants than it is currently accepting.

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan*	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	27%	20%	26%	26%	37%	39%	23%	30%	23%	42%	27%
Neither (5-6)	21%	27%	20%	21%	25%	18%	22%	22%	22%	15%	21%
Agree (7-10)	47%	50%	51%	48%	36%	39%	50%	44%	50%	38%	48%
Don't know	4%	2%	3%	5%	2%	4%	6%	4%	6%	4%	4%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration

Perceived impact of immigration

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on...?

	Canada [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Canada’s economy [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Your province [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Your province’s economy [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Your community	Your city	You personally	Your neighbourhood
Very/Somewhat negative	13%	14%	15%	16%	11%	13%	11%	11%
Neither	11%	11%	14%	14%	24%	23%	29%	32%
Very/Somewhat positive	72%	70%	67%	63%	61%	59%	58%	52%
Don’t know	3%	5%	4%	6%	5%	5%	2%	6%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20 [larger for split samples]

Impact of immigration on Canada

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on Canada?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	13%	12%	9%	14%	13%	26%	11%	15%	5%	19%	13%
Neither	11%	6%	9%	12%	9%	12%	16%	12%	9%	5%	12%
Very/Somewhat positive	72%	77%	77%	71%	76%	62%	67%	69%	84%	70%	72%
Don’t know	3%	5%	5%	2%	2%	1%	5%	4%	2%	6%	3%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on Canada’s economy

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on Canada’s economy?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	14%	18%	10%	13%	13%	16%	19%	15%	10%	25%	14%
Neither	11%	11%	13%	10%	11%	12%	11%	12%	8%	13%	11%
Very/Somewhat positive	70%	69%	73%	73%	70%	64%	64%	67%	80%	59%	71%
Don’t know	5%	2%	4%	5%	5%	5%	5%	5%	2%	3%	5%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on province

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on your province?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	4%	13%	15%	13%	14%	26%	18%	18%	7%	21%	15%
Neither	14%	8%	17%	15%	14%	8%	11%	16%	6%	8%	14%
Very/Somewhat positive	67%	74%	66%	69%	70%	62%	62%	63%	81%	63%	67%
Don’t know	4%	4%	3%	4%	2%	4%	9%	4%	6%	7%	4%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on provincial economy

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on your province’s economy?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	16%	14%	11%	17%	17%	25%	15%	18%	10%	29%	16%
Neither	14%	14%	15%	13%	14%	18%	13%	14%	15%	16%	14%
Very/Somewhat positive	63%	65%	69%	63%	63%	53%	62%	62%	70%	47%	64%
Don’t know	6%	7%	4%	7%	7%	4%	10%	6%	5%	8%	6%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on community

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on your community?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan*	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories *	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	11%	9%	7%	11%	9%	13%	16%	12%	7%	15%	11%
Neither	24%	22%	27%	23%	20%	24%	21%	26%	14%	26%	23%
Very/Somewhat positive	61%	62%	62%	61%	69%	55%	57%	57%	75%	53%	61%
Don’t know	5%	6%	3%	4%	2%	8%	7%	5%	4%	6%	4%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on city

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on your city?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories *	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	13%	9%	8%	14%	11%	18%	19%	14%	11%	19%	13%
Neither	23%	20%	32%	20%	17%	18%	21%	25%	13%	22%	23%
Very/Somewhat positive	59%	62%	56%	61%	68%	59%	55%	56%	72%	53%	60%
Don’t know	5%	9%	4%	5%	4%	5%	5%	5%	4%	7%	5%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on individual Canadians

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on you personally?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	11%	10%	8%	11%	12%	14%	12%	12%	7%	17%	11%
Neither	29%	29%	28%	30%	27%	28%	30%	33%	17%	27%	29%
Very/Somewhat positive	58%	57%	61%	57%	59%	56%	53%	53%	73%	52%	58%
Don’t know	2%	3%	2%	1%	3%	2%	4%	2%	3%	4%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Impact of immigration on local neighbourhood

Q: In general, what effect does immigration to this country have on your neighbourhood?

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada*	Born outside Canada*	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Very/Somewhat negative	11%	10%	8%	11%	11%	13%	14%	11%	9%	14%	11%
Neither	32%	27%	37%	31%	31%	28%	29%	36%	15%	36%	32%
Very/Somewhat positive	52%	56%	51%	52%	55%	52%	51%	47%	71%	43%	53%
Don’t know	6%	7%	4%	5%	4%	7%	7%	6%	4%	7%	5%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Attitudes towards Refugees

Unaided perceptions of refugee levels

Q: In your opinion do you feel that there are too many, too few or about the right number of refugees coming to Canada?

	>National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous	Not Indigenous
Too many	30%	24%	27%	32%	29%	36%	27%	30%	29%	34%	29%
About the right number	41%	45%	45%	39%	42%	36%	38%	41%	38%	37%	41%
Too few	19%	23%	18%	17%	18%	15%	23%	19%	16%	20%	19%
Don’t know/Refused	11%	8%	10%	12%	11%	13%	12%	9%	17%	9%	11%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Attitudes towards refugees

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

	Accepting refugees is part of Canada's humanitarian tradition	Canada has a responsibility to do its part in accepting refugees [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Canada has a responsibility to do its part in accepting refugees from refugee camps [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Refugees have a positive impact on Canada's economy in the long run [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Refugees have a positive impact on Canada's economy [SPLIT SAMPLE]	Canada has a responsibility to help asylum seekers, that is, those who come to Canada as visitors and, after arriving, claim that they are refugees who cannot go home because they face danger or persecution
Oppose (1-4)	10%	14%	17%	21%	24%	30%
Neither (5-6)	16%	18%	18%	23%	25%	24%
Support (7-10)	72%	68%	63%	54%	46%	44%
Don’t know	2%	1%	2%	3%	4%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20 [larger for split samples]

Agreement with refugees part of Canada’s humanitarian tradition

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Accepting refugees is part of Canada's humanitarian tradition.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	10%	9%	10%	9%	9%	13%	9%	10%	8%	18%	9%
Neither (5-6)	16%	14%	17%	15%	20%	17%	17%	17%	14%	14%	16%
Agree (7-10)	72%	76%	72%	73%	72%	68%	72%	72%	74%	64%	73%
Don't know	2%	1%	2%	2%	0%	2%	2%	1%	4%	3%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with responsibility to accept refugees

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Canada has a responsibility to do its part in accepting refugees.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario *	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous	Not Indigenous
Disagree (1-4)	14%	12%	10%	16%	13%	21%	8%	14%	13%	19%	13%
Neither (5-6)	18%	14%	16%	20%	14%	19%	17%	16%	22%	15%	18%
Agree (7-10)	68%	74%	73%	62%	73%	59%	74%	69%	63%	63%	68%
Don't know	1%	0%	1%	2%	0%	2%	0%	1%	3%	2%	1%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with responsibility to accept refugees from camps

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Canada has a responsibility to do its part in accepting refugees from refugee camps.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous	Not Indigenous
Disagree (1-4)	17%	11%	13%	17%	23%	20%	18%	17%	17%	21%	16%
Neither (5-6)	18%	19%	15%	18%	16%	27%	21%	19%	17%	15%	19%
Agree (7-10)	63%	68%	71%	65%	59%	47%	59%	63%	64%	63%	64%
Don't know	2%	2%	1%	0%	1%	5%	2%	1%	2%	1%	2%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with refugees’ impact on economy: long run

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Refugees have a positive impact on Canada's economy in the long run.

	National	Atlantic Canada	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous*	Not Indigenous*
Disagree (1-4)	21%	19%	18%	23%	18%	24%	22%	21%	21%	32%	20%
Neither (5-6)	23%	21%	27%	23%	18%	25%	19%	23%	23%	21%	23%
Agree (7-10)	54%	58%	52%	52%	63%	47%	57%	54%	53%	43%	54%
Don't know	3%	2%	3%	2%	1%	4%	2%	2%	3%	4%	2%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with refugees’ impact on economy

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Refugees have a positive impact on Canada's economy.

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec*	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan *	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous	Not Indigenous
Disagree (1-4)	24%	20%	15%	27%	31%	36%	21%	24%	24%	29%	24%
Neither (5-6)	25%	16%	29%	23%	33%	27%	26%	25%	27%	19%	26%
Agree (7-10)	46%	60%	52%	45%	34%	35%	46%	47%	44%	46%	46%
Don't know	4%	4%	4%	4%	2%	3%	7%	4%	5%	5%	4%

BASE: Canadians (half-sample only); August 2016, n=799, MOE +/- 3.47%, 19 times out of 20

Agreement with responsibility to help asylum seekers

Q: Please tell me to what extent you either agree or disagree with each of the following statements: Canada has a responsibility to help asylum seekers, that is, those who come to Canada as visitors and, after arriving, claim that they are refugees who cannot go home because they face danger or persecution.

	National	Atlantic Canada*	Quebec	Ontario	Manitoba/ Saskatchewan	Alberta*	British Columbia/ Territories	Born in Canada	Born outside Canada	Indigenous	Not Indigenous
Disagree (1-4)	30%	23%	28%	31%	38%	36%	29%	31%	30%	34%	30%
Neither (5-6)	24%	22%	26%	22%	22%	27%	24%	24%	23%	20%	24%
Agree(7-10)	44%	53%	44%	46%	39%	34%	42%	43%	45%	43%	44%
Don't know	2%	1%	2%	1%	1%	3%	5%	2%	2%	2%	2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Demographics

Age

Calculated from year of birth

18-24: 12%
25-34: 16%
35-44: 17%
45-54: 20%
55-64: 17%
65 or older: 19%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Gender

Recorded by interviewer

Female: 51%
Male: 49%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Born in Canada

Q: Were you born in Canada?

Yes: 77%
No: 22%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Year of arrival to Canada

Q: [If not born in Canada] In what year did you come to Canada?

Less than 5 years: 11%
5-19 years: 35%
20+ years: 53%
Refused: 2%

BASE: Those not born in Canada; August 2016, n=311, MOE +/- 5.6%, 19 times out of 20

Parents born in Canada

Q: Did your parents immigrate to Canada from another country?

One parent: 9%
Both parents: 15%
No: 75%
Refused: 1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Member of Indigenous peoples community

Q: Are you an Indigenous person, that is, First Nations (North American Indian), Métis or Inuk (Inuit)?

Yes: 4%
No: 95%
Refused: 1%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Educational attainment

Q: What is the highest level of formal education that you have completed to date?

Elementary school or less: 3%
Secondary school: 18%
Some post-secondary: 8%
College, vocational, or trade school: 25%
Undergraduate university program: 23%
Graduate/Professional university program: 23%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Employment status

Q: What is your current employment status?

Employed full-time: 40%
Employed part-time: 8%
Self-employed: 8%
Unemployed and currently seeking work: 4%
Homemaker: 2%
Student: 4%
Disabled: 1%
Retired: 32%
Other: 0%
Don’t know/Refused: 0%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Income

Q: Which of the following best describes your total household income? That is, the total income of all persons in your household combined, before taxes. Is it ...?

Under $20,000: 7%
$20,000 to just under $40,000: 14%
$40,000 to just under $60,000: 14%
$60,000 to just under $80,000: 13%
$80,000 to just under $100,000: 11%
$100,000 to just under $150,000: 12%
$150,000 and above: 12%
Refused: 18%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

Ethnic origin

Q: What were the ethnic or cultural origins of your ancestors?

British: 43%
French: 25%
Other western European: 18%
Eastern European: 11%
Scandinavian: 7%
Native American: 6%
South Asian: 4%
African: 4%
Canadian: 3%
Middle Eastern: 3%
Southeast Asian: 3%
American: 2%
Caribbean: 1%
Latin American: 1%
Other: 2%
Don’t know/Refused: 4%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20

First language

Q: What is the language that you first learned at home in childhood and still understand?

English: 60%
French: 23%
Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese): 2%
German: 2%
Spanish: 2%
Arabic: 1%
Dutch: 1%
Farsi: 1%
Hindi: 1%
Italian: 1%
Portuguese: 1%
Punjabi: 1%
Russian: 1%
Tagalog: 1%
Urdu: 1%
Ukrainian: 1%
Various African languages: 1%
Other: 2%

BASE: Canadians; August 2016, n=1,598, MOE +/- 2.45%, 19 times out of 20