In a recent Nanos Research poll, a substantial most of Canadians have expressed strong favor for the increase of Temporary Foreign Workers (TFWs), recognizing their pivotal role in bolstering the country’s economy.
The extensive survey was carried out over the course of three days from December 27 to December 29 of the previous year. It involved both phone interviews and internet interviews with a representative sample of 1,006 participants. The results confirm a widely held belief, as more than 80 per cent of participants expressed the opinion that temporary foreign workers play a crucial role in Canada’s economic growth. This broad support demonstrates the general agreement among Canadians about the role that TFWs play in maintaining and improving the country’s economic environment.
On January 9, 2023, Nanos revealed the results of the survey conducted on behalf of the Globe and Mail. This revelation is noteworthy because it corresponds temporally with another Nanos survey from September of last year, which revealed a growing tendency of people opposing increased immigration.
Increasing resistance to immigration prevailing throughout Canada
The results of a September 2023 Nanos Research study revealed that, contrary to the results of the most previous poll, over half of Canadians asked said they would prefer that Canada admit fewer immigrants than the goal established by the federal government. This was a significant rise from 34% in March of the previous year, when 53% of respondents said they wanted Canada to follow the federal plan and lower the immigration rate. Furthermore, the same September poll also revealed a similar opinion regarding Canada’s foreign student population, with 55% of Canadians expressing a desire for the nation to admit fewer international students than the government’s estimated 900,000.
Increase in the temporary resident population in Canada
Considering the weakening public backing for immigration, it is necessary to investigate the origins of recent immigration growth in Canada.
According to figures provided in December by Statistics Canada (StatsCan), the population of Canada increased by more than 430,000 during the third quarter of 2023. According to StatsCan estimates, immigration is the main cause of this noteworthy increase. Approximately 313,000 non-permanent residents, most of whom arrived with work or study visas, contributed to the spike.
Canadians endorse the arrival of TFWs for particular employment in Canada
Even though there is a growing backlash against more immigration, the January Nanos poll shows that Canadians are more likely to support immigrants who come to the country specifically to work.
Nik Nanos, the chairman of Nanos Research, emphasizes that individuals entering Canada for a specific purpose—such as temporary foreign workers—encounter a great deal of acceptance and encouragement.
Analyzing the results, 57% of respondents to the Nanos survey conducted in December said they were generally in favor of a rise in the number of “temporary foreign workers for jobs.” Notably, the Atlantic regions of Canada exhibit the strongest support for this, especially from those who are 55 years of age and older. The survey also shows that 49% of participants in the Prairie provinces said they were in favor of a rise in this kind of migration.
In addition, 35 percent of Canadians said they were against allowing a greater number of temporary foreign workers to enter the country in search of employment. According to Nanos’ analysis, this opposition was strongest in British Columbia, the Prairies, and Ontario out of all the provinces and territories.
But according to the January Nanos poll, a substantial 79% of Canadians endorse employers bringing in temporary foreign workers to address job vacancies that cannot be filled by Canadians. Particularly, Atlantic Canada and Quebec showed greater support for TFWs than did Ontario and the Prairie provinces of Canada.
Official reactions to the changing attitude towards immigration in Canada
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced plans to reduce the number of temporary foreign workers entering Canada, acknowledging the purported link between the country’s housing crisis and the rise in foreign students and temporary workers. As per a recent report by The Globe and Mail, Miller desires to exert more control over the quantity of temporary immigrants permitted to enter Canada. Miller reiterated this sentiment in a recent news report, emphasizing the potential necessity for the federal government to thoroughly regulate the volume of temporary residents arriving in Canada.
Recognizing the alleged correlation between the surge in foreign students and temporary workers in Canada and the existing housing shortage, Minister of Immigration Marc Miller announced plans to decrease the number of temporarily employed foreign workers. As mentioned in a recent Globe and Mail piece, Minister Marc Miller aims to exert greater control over the number of temporary residents permitted to enter Canada. In a recent News article, Miller echoed this opinion by stressing the possible need for the federal government to strictly control the number of temporary residents who enter Canada.
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