January 8, 2025 – Today, CBC News revealed the results of a major new survey of newcomers to Canada conducted on their behalf by Pollara Strategic Insights. The comprehensive study surveyed a randomly-selected sample of N=1,507 newcomers – specifically, adults born outside of Canada who immigrated to Canada in the past 10 years (2014-2024) – and provides an in-depth look at perspectives and experiences that are often underreported and underrepresented in ongoing conversations about immigration in this country.
The survey results provide the foundation for WELCOME TO CANADA – the new CBC News exploratory series, featuring in-depth personal stories about undocumented migrants, underemployed newcomers, and struggling new Canadians who wonder if they’ll need to move elsewhere to succeed. Beginning today, WELCOME TO CANADA stories will live across all CBC platforms.
The survey finds that eight in ten (81%) newcomers are satisfied with life in Canada; however, fewer (66%) recommend immigrating to Canada to friends and family, with 29% saying that they do not recommend immigrating to Canada. Moreover, most (81%) are glad they came to Canada, but 42% would consider leaving. Additional survey findings include:
- The main reason newcomers chose Canada was for a better quality of life as well as better work and economic opportunities.
- Although eight-in-ten newcomers had an overall positive experience with the immigration process, two-thirds (67%) say that it costs too much to immigrate to Canada and that they spent more than they expected. Interestingly, 74% agree that “only those with money can afford to immigrate to Canada.”
- Newcomers largely found that adapting was easy: 81% had good experiences with grocery stores, restaurants, and food from their culture; 76% said they were able to navigate locally and find access to transportation; and 61% said they had a positive experience accessing support for new immigrants.
- Newcomers believe immigrants are good for Canada, but 82% feel that “Canada has accepted too many immigrants and international students with no planning for adequate housing, infrastructure, or having sufficient job opportunities.”
- Employment levels are high amongst newcomers in the workforce, with 72% employed or self-employed. However, it is worth noting that 25% are not working in their field of expertise.
From November 1 through 18, 2024, Pollara Strategic Insights conducted the online survey amongst a randomly-selected sample of N=1,507 adult foreign-born Canadian residents who immigrated to Canada in the past 10 years (2014-2024), whether as immigrants through government programs, as students on visas, as refugees seeking asylum, or as temporary workers. Four-in-ten are currently permanent residents and one-fifth are naturalized citizens. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size carries a margin of error of 2.5 percentage points. To ensure the dataset is representative of this population, the total dataset has been weighted according to Statistics Canada’s most current age, gender, and regional statistics for adult newcomers arriving in Canada from 2014 to 2024. Pollara is a gold seal, founding member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC), and this research was conducted in compliance with CRIC standards.
Please visit the WELCOME TO CANADA website to see more insights, reporting, discussion, and commentary arising from the survey. For more findings from this comprehensive survey, please see our report.
If you’re interested in conducting research amongst newcomers, please contact Pollara Vice President Mubashera Kothawala.
