A recent Nanos Research survey, commissioned by CTV News, indicates that 52.3% of Canadians favor a reduction in immigration and temporary resident levels for 2027. This sentiment follows a similar trend observed in March, suggesting a sustained public desire for tighter controls amid economic and housing pressures.
A sustained trend from the March findings
The desire for lower immigration levels is not a sudden spike in public anxiety but rather a consistent trend. According to the Nanos Research report, the October results closely mirror a survey conducted in March, which showed that 52% of Canadians wanted fewer immigrants and temporary residents for the following year. While the percentage of people wanting to maintain current levels dipped slightly from 35% in March to 33.5% in October, the overall appetite for reduction has remained remarkably steady.
This consistency suggests that the concerns driving these numbers—primarily housing affordability and the strain on public services—are deeply embedded in the current Canadian social landscape . The survey, conducted between October 31 and November 2, 2026, captured a population that appears increasingly skeptical of the current pace of migration.
The 58.3% mandate in the Prairies and youth-led concerns
Public opinion on migration is far from monolithic, showing sharp divides across Canada's geography and age demographics. The survey highlights that residents in the Prairies are the most vocal proponents of reduction, with 58.3% favoring fewer newcomers. This follows a pattern seen in other major provinces:
- Ontario: 53.5% favor fewer immigrants.
- Quebec: 53.1% favor fewer immigrants.
- Atlantic Canada: 44.2% favor fewer immigrants.
- British Columbia: 41.2% prefer maintaining the status quo.
Generational divides are equally striking. As the report notes, Canadians aged 18 to 34 and those aged 35 to 54 are the most likely to support a reduction , at 56% and 56.4% respectively.. This high level of concern among younger demographics may be a direct reflection of the difficulties they face in accessing affordable housing and entering a competitive job market.
The disconnect with 2026's 765,000 newcomer targets
There is a growing tension between current public sentiment and the federal government's established migration roadmap. For 2026, the Canadian government has set ambitious targets that include accepting 380,000 new permanent residents and an additional 385,000 temporary residents, such as workers and students.
The Nanos Research data suggests that these targets may be out of step with the expectations of more than half the population. while the government views these numbers as essential for economic stability, the survey indicates that a majority of the public is looking for a pivot toward more restrictive controls heading into 2027.
What the 5.9% uncertainty reveals about policy complexity
While the majority of respondents have clear preferences, a small but notable 5.9% of Canadians remain unsure about the appropriate direction for future migration policy. This rise in uncertainty from the 4.5% recorded in March suggests that the debate over balancing economic needs with social infrastructure capacity is becoming increasingly complex for the average citizen.
Several questions remain unanswered by the current data. It is unclear how much of this sentiment is tied specifically to the federal government's recent policy decisions versus broader economic trends. Furthermore,the survey does not explicitly capture whether the public views the reduction of temporary residents as a more or less important priority than the reduction of permanent residents.
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