Nearly half of Canadians think it'd be good if the federal government closed the country’s borders to immigrants, according to a new poll.
The Angus Reid Institute's latest offering found that 48 per cent of respondents think it would be either “good” or “very good” if Canada stopped welcoming migrants.
Another 39 per cent think it would be a “bad” or “very bad” thing, while 13 per cent had no view either way.
Angus Reid asked 1,602 Canadian adults a series of questions between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4. The questions were designed to find out more about the popularity of the Conservative Party’s policies.
The Tories have not said they will close the country’s borders to immigrants, but their leader, Pierre Poilievre, did pledge last week to introduce a “mathematical formula” for immigration that caps population growth based on housing availability.
Canada’s population grew by just under 1.3 million people last year, with 97.6 per cent of that growth down to immigration.
Politicians from several parties have spoken up about the difficulties associated with taking in so many people in such a short period of time, among them Justin Trudeau, David Eby and Poilievre.
The Trudeau government has announced a series of measures designed to bring down migrant numbers, including today, with Immigration Minister Marc Miller committing to a further reduction in visas issued to foreign students.
It means that 437,000 students will be given visas in 2025 rather than 485,000.
Angus Reid’s poll, however, suggests there is a desire among a large proportion of the Canadian population for a bigger reduction in migrant numbers.
It also found that there is an expectation that Poilievre will do far more on migration that he has pledged to do.
Nearly two thirds – 65 per cent – of respondents to the poll said they think Poilievre “absolutely” or “maybe” will shut Canada’s borders to migrants.
Most (66 per cent) Tory, Liberal (64 per cent) and NDP (75 per cent) supporters think the Conservative leader will, despite never pledging to do so, shut the borders.
The poll also found that the vast majority of respondents think it would be a good thing if a Poilievre government balanced the budget, lowered taxes and increased prison sentences for criminals.
Respondents were significantly less enthusiastic about the prospect of a Tory government firing public service workers, defunding the CBC or encouraging privatization in health care.
To read the study in full, head here.
