Federal government immigration poll suggests hardening attitudes
OTTAWA — When he announced the federal strategy of ramping up the number of immigrants to Canada over the next three years, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen described it as what Canadians wanted and needed — especially with governments around the world closing their doors to immigrants and refugees.
It was a subtle jab at the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has cracked down on immigration in the name of the “America First” sentiment that got him elected a year ago Tuesday.
But over the course of those 12 months, Canadian views on immigration appear to have shifted in that same direction, according to the survey the federal government carries out each year as part of its immigration planning process.
Partial results of the internal survey were posted online in connection with last week’s release of the plan, which calls for 310,000 people admitted to be admitted in 2018, up from 300,000 this year.