Majority of Canadians Support Provincial Immigration Control, Poll Finds
A significant majority of Canadians express support for granting provinces greater authority over immigration policies, according to a new Postmedia-Leger poll. The survey indicates that 65% of respondents favor provinces having "significantly more control" over immigration matters, including setting immigration levels and prioritizing entrants based on economic criteria.
Nationwide Support Extends Beyond Alberta
The poll results suggest that proposals to widen provincial management of immigration enjoy nationwide support that extends well beyond Alberta or Quebec. This comes amid public discontent over Ottawa's handling of immigration issues, with many Canadians seeking more localized approaches to newcomer integration and resource allocation.
Andrew Enns, executive vice-president of Leger's central Canada operations, noted that the findings reveal a broader pan-Canadian sentiment. "The premier's policies appear aligned with a broader pan-Canadian sentiment that a majority feel Canada's social supports for newcomers to Canada are too generous," Enns stated.
Regional Breakdown of Support
Support for provincial control varies across regions but remains strong nationwide:
- Quebec: 71% in favor
- Atlantic Canada: 70% in favor
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan: 64% in favor
- Alberta and Ontario: 63% in favor
- British Columbia: 58% in favor
Interestingly, Alberta does not rank among the most supportive provinces, despite Premier Danielle Smith's vocal advocacy for immigration reforms. The poll was conducted as Smith's government proposed greater controls over immigration levels in response to increased newcomer arrivals in recent years.
Political Party Perspectives
The poll also examined support across political affiliations:
- Bloc Québécois voters: 94% in favor
- Conservative Party of Canada supporters: 77% in favor
- Liberal voters: 60% in favor
- NDP supporters: 58% in favor
Among those "strongly opposed" to provincial control, Liberal voters showed the highest opposition at 12%, compared to 3% for Conservatives and 1% for Bloc voters.
Proposed Immigration Reforms
The Alberta government has proposed several immigration-related questions for a referendum later this year, including potentially restricting health care and other public services to non-permanent residents. The poll found that a majority of Canadians also support restricting publicly funded social services for temporary residents, aligning with Smith's suggestions.
Only 19% of respondents opposed granting provinces more immigration powers, while 16% remained undecided. The strong nationwide support suggests that immigration policy may become a significant issue in future federal-provincial negotiations, with many Canadians seeking more tailored approaches that reflect regional economic needs and capacity constraints.
