Now Immigrants In Canada Are Echoing Anti-Immigration Sentiment In 2025

Canada, long celebrated as a beacon of diversity and inclusion, is witnessing a surprising and significant shift in attitudes toward immigration. For the first time, many immigrants themselves are joining the chorus of voices calling for stricter immigration controls. This trend, documented in recent studies and surveys, reveals a growing cultural and social divide within the country.

A 2025 report by the Environics Institute highlights that 60% of racialized Canadians—many of whom are immigrants or descendants of immigrants—now believe that “too many immigrants fail to adopt Canadian values.” This sentiment is not just a fringe opinion; it reflects a broader, and rapidly evolving, mindset among established immigrant communities.

What’s driving this shift? For many immigrants who have lived in Canada for five years or more, concerns about resource competition, cultural integration, and social cohesion are taking center stage. A 2025 Vision Canada/InsightPulse survey found that 68% of these immigrants support stricter regulations on international students and temporary workers—a stark contrast to the early 2000s, when longer-established immigrants generally embraced high immigration levels and progressive policies.

This trend is particularly pronounced among South Asian Canadians. A 2025 InsightPulse poll revealed that 75% of South Asian immigrants who have lived in Canada for over a decade now favor stricter controls on immigration. Additionally, a 2024 survey showed that 52% of this group believes the government’s immigration targets—such as the plan to welcome 470,000 newcomers in 2024 and 510,000 in 2026—are “too high.”

These sentiments are not isolated to any one community. Across the country, established immigrants are expressing frustration over what they perceive as inadequate integration efforts by newer arrivals. Many believe that recent immigrants are straining public resources, such as housing, healthcare, and education, while failing to embrace Canadian values. This frustration is increasingly vocalized on social media platforms like X, where some established immigrants openly criticize newcomers and even distance themselves from them.

This shift in attitude among immigrants mirrors a broader trend in Canadian society. Recent polls indicate that 60% of Canadians now believe immigration levels are too high, compared to just 34% in 2002. Concerns about affordability, social infrastructure, and cultural identity are fueling this skepticism. Only a third of Canadians still view immigration as enriching the national culture, down from nearly 60% in 2002.

The federal government’s decision in October 2024 to reduce planned immigration levels—though framed as a move to better manage social services and affordability—was widely seen as a response to these growing anxieties. Whether this shift in policy will ease tensions or deepen divisions remains to be seen.

As Canada navigates this complex and evolving landscape, one thing is clear: the traditional narrative of Canada as a uniformly welcoming nation for immigrants is being challenged from within. The growing anti-immigration sentiment among immigrants themselves raises important questions about the future of Canada’s immigration policy and the delicate balance of social cohesion in a multicultural society.

Deeper Dive into the Data and Broader Implications

The shift in immigration attitudes among established immigrants in Canada is further illuminated by a closer examination of the data. A 2024 study from the University of British Columbia’s Urban Futures Institute reveals that immigrant voters, particularly in major urban centers like Toronto and Vancouver, are increasingly aligning with conservative ideologies. This trend suggests that the political landscape in Canada may be undergoing a significant transformation, with potential implications for future elections and policy-making.

The South Asian community exemplifies this trend more starkly. A 2025 InsightPulse poll indicates that 75% of South Asian immigrants who have resided in Canada for over a decade support stricter immigration controls. This sentiment is complemented by a 2024 survey showing that 52% of the same demographic believes the government’s immigration targets, such as the 470,000 newcomers planned for 2024 and 510,000 for 2026, are excessive. These figures highlight a growing conservatism and concern about the pace of immigration within this community.

Concerns about integration are a significant factor driving these sentiments. Many established immigrants express frustration over the perceived failure of newer arrivals to integrate into Canadian society. They argue that while Canada has historically embraced multiculturalism, the current rate of immigration may be outpacing the country’s ability to absorb newcomers effectively. This strain is evident in areas such as housing, healthcare, and education, where resources are already stretched thin.

Online platforms, particularly X, have become a battleground for these debates. Established immigrants are increasingly vocal about their frustrations, often expressing skepticism about the impact of newer immigrants on Canadian society. In some cases, this has led to a distancing between established and newer immigrant communities, further complicating the social dynamics of integration.

These attitudes are part of a broader societal shift in Canada. Recent polls show that 60% of Canadians now believe immigration levels are too high, a significant increase from the 34% who held this view in 2002. Additionally, only a third of Canadians now see immigration as enriching the national culture, down from nearly 60% in 2002. This decline in positive sentiment toward immigration reflects growing concerns about affordability, social infrastructure, and cultural identity.

The federal government’s decision in October 2024 to reduce planned immigration levels, while officially justified by the need to manage social services and affordability, was widely interpreted as a response to these anxieties. This policy shift has sparked debate about whether it will alleviate concerns or exacerbate divisions within Canadian society.

As Canada navigates this complex and evolving landscape, the traditional narrative of the country as a uniformly welcoming nation for immigrants is being challenged from within. The growing anti-immigration sentiment among immigrants themselves raises important questions about the future of Canada’s immigration policy and the delicate balance of social cohesion in a multicultural society. This shift underscores the need for a nuanced approach to immigration that addresses both the concerns of established immigrants and the needs of newcomers.

Conclusion

The shift in immigration attitudes among established immigrants in Canada represents a significant and complex evolution in the nation’s multicultural landscape. As data shows, a growing number of immigrants, particularly those from South Asian communities, are expressing concerns about immigration levels, integration, and resource competition. This sentiment mirrors broader societal trends, with 60% of Canadians now believing immigration levels are too high. The federal government’s decision to reduce immigration targets reflects these anxieties, but whether this will alleviate tensions or deepen divisions remains uncertain. As Canada navigates this challenging terrain, the traditional narrative of a uniformly welcoming nation is being tested, raising critical questions about the future of immigration policy and social cohesion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are some immigrants in Canada expressing anti-immigration sentiments?

Many established immigrants in Canada are expressing concerns about resource competition, cultural integration, and social cohesion. They believe that newer immigrants may be straining public resources like housing, healthcare, and education, while also failing to adopt Canadian values.

What role does resource competition play in these sentiments?

Resource competition is a significant factor. Established immigrants often feel that the influx of newer immigrants is putting pressure on already strained public services, such as housing, healthcare, and education, leading to frustration and calls for stricter immigration controls.

How has the Canadian government responded to these concerns?

In October 2024, the federal government reduced planned immigration levels, citing the need to manage social services and affordability. This move was widely seen as a response to growing anxieties about immigration levels and their impact on Canadian society.

What impact could this shift have on social cohesion in Canada?

The growing divide between established and newer immigrants could complicate social dynamics and challenge Canada’s multicultural identity. Online platforms, such as X, have become spaces where these tensions are openly debated, potentially deepening divisions within immigrant communities.

What does the future of Canadian immigration policy look like?

The future of Canadian immigration policy remains uncertain. While the government has reduced immigration targets, it is unclear whether this will address the concerns of established immigrants or create new challenges. A balanced approach that considers both the needs of established immigrants and the integration of newcomers will be critical.