What newcomers think about Canada's immigration challenge

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As we begin a new year and the run-up to a federal election, we know there will be much debate over how Canada should best deal with pressing matters like affordability, housing, health care and the threat of U.S. tariffs.

Immigration is another one of those political issues sure to make headlines in 2025 here and south of the border — and it's a topic over which Canadian attitudes have shifted dramatically in recent years.

While there is still a broad consensus that immigration is a good thing for this country, recent polling shows significant concerns about how many immigrants Canada accepts and related pressures on housing, health care and the economy.

In recent months, the federal government has taken measures to cap the number of new arrivals by reducing the number of new permanent residents and making changes to the temporary foreign worker program. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited the need to stabilize population growth while housing stocks catch up and to rein in abuses of the system by "bad actors."

But amid all the passionate debates and policy proposals, a key voice has been absent: that of immigrants themselves. This set CBC News on a path to ask recent newcomers directly and in depth about their experiences in their adopted country.

We teamed up with Pollara Strategic Insights to conduct a survey of 1,500 people who came to Canada from across the world in the past 10 years: whether as immigrants through government programs; as students on visas; as refugees seeking asylum or as temporary workers. Twenty per cent are now citizens, while another 40 per cent are now permanent residents. Others hope paths will open up for them and their families to stay and thrive.

The findings of the survey, conducted in November, are fascinating. Newcomer attitudes align with the views of others in Canada in many ways. For instance, 82 per cent surveyed believe that "Canada has accepted too many immigrants and international students with no planning for adequate housing, infrastructure or having sufficient job opportunities."

Newcomers share with other people in this country serious anxieties about the economy, housing and health care. On the employment front, 72 per cent are working — more of them wish it could be in their area of expertise.

Some feel frustrated that their skills are being wasted in a country where there's daily demand for qualified health-care workers, engineers, legal professionals, teachers, accountants and tradespeople, such as welders, carpenters, plumbers and electricians.

Concerns over cost of living

And they say their choice to stay in Canada comes at a high price, literally: 67 per cent say it costs too much to immigrate to Canada. Those who would not recommend Canada to family or friends (29 per cent) cite the cost of living and housing affordability among their reasons. That's just a fraction of what we learned; there's so much more to share in the days to come.

The survey is just a beginning.

Journalists across CBC News are now hard at work bringing context and analysis to the numbers. Beginning today, Jan. 8, you'll see, hear and read insightful stories across all CBC platforms.

Our series, called "Welcome to Canada," will feature dozens of in-depth personal stories about underemployed newcomers, undocumented migrants living in the shadows and unsettled new Canadians who wonder if they'll need to move elsewhere to succeed.

We hope our journalism will inspire a full and fruitful national conversation about this all-important topic.

• Do these results line up with your own experiences as a newcomer to Canada? Tell us why or why not. Send an email to ask@cbc.ca.

I can't resist sharing one last stat. In our survey, the vast majority say they chose Canada as a better country to live in, one that is open and accepting.

And how do they feel now that they're here? A large majority — eight in 10 — are happy they came to Canada, a country they deem welcoming and safe. It's a positive note for all at the start of what's bound to be an eventful year.