Canadians Back Multiculturalism Amid Immigration Concerns

A new national survey suggests Canadians still see multiculturalism as a positive part of the country, even as concern about immigration levels remains high.

The Canadian Diversity Study 2026 found that 66 per cent of adults agree multiculturalism has contributed positively to Canadian identity. One-quarter disagree, while nine per cent did not take a position.

The study, released June 30 by the Environics Institute for Survey Research and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Bridging Divides program, surveyed 6,818 Canadian adults online between March 4 and April 24.

Support Crosses Backgrounds

Support was strongest among racialized Canadians, at 81 per cent, compared with 62 per cent among white respondents and 63 per cent among Indigenous respondents.

First-generation immigrants reported 77 per cent agreement, while 73 per cent of second-generation immigrants agreed. Among people born in Canada to Canadian-born parents, support stood at 58 per cent.

The report said positive views still outweighed negative ones by about two to one among white and non-immigrant Canadians. Even among respondents with generally negative opinions about immigration, roughly three in five viewed multiculturalism positively.

When participants described multiculturalism in their own words, 64 per cent offered a positive explanation. Six per cent gave a negative response, while 30 per cent did not provide a clear answer.

Immigration Views Are More Divided

The findings show that concern about immigration does not always mean opposition to diversity or to welcoming newcomers.

One in five respondents expressed fully positive views about immigration. They were not worried about current numbers and supported Canada remaining open to immigrants from around the world.

A larger group, representing 36 per cent, held mixed views. These respondents believed immigration levels were too high but still wanted Canada to welcome people internationally. About one-third expressed broadly negative views on both questions. Among non-immigrants, that proportion reached 41 per cent.

Shared Institutions Favoured

Canadians strongly supported equal treatment. Eighty-seven per cent agreed no one should face discrimination because of their identity or place of origin.

Eighty-one per cent said young Canadians benefit from growing up with friends from different races and religions. Sixty-three per cent rejected the idea that hearing languages other than English or French in public made them uncomfortable.

Regional differences appeared, with agreement highest in British Columbia at 73 per cent and lowest in Quebec at 56 per cent.

Support weakened when diversity involved separate institutions. The report found Canadians were less likely to favour distinct education systems or public institutions created for particular ethnic or religious communities.

Instead, the results point toward support for cultural expression within shared civic institutions.

Selection Based on Skills

By a four-to-one margin, respondents preferred selecting immigrants for education and skills, regardless of country of origin, over favouring applicants from selected countries. Sixty-five per cent supported the skills-based approach, compared with 15 per cent who preferred country-based selection.

Overall, nationally, the study concludes that Canadians continue to value multiculturalism while asking governments to manage immigration carefully. The two views, the researchers found, can exist at the same time.