More than half of Canadians support fewer arrivals, with mounting implications for housing demand and broker volumes
A majority of Canadians want the country to accept fewer immigrants and temporary residents in 2027.
The Nanos Research survey, commissioned by CTV News and conducted Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, found that 52.3% of respondents favour reducing arrivals.
Canada’s 2026 targets include 380,000 permanent residents and an additional 385,000 workers and students as temporary residents.
Just 33.5% of the 1,058 Canadians polled said levels should remain about the same, while 8.4% supported accepting more and 5.9% were unsure.
The margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
The numbers mirror March Nanos polling, in which 52% of Canadians also favoured reductions, suggesting that public appetite for fewer arrivals has not softened despite ongoing economic debate.
Regional and demographic patterns
Support for reducing arrivals was highest in the Prairies at 58.3%, followed by Ontario at 53.5% and Quebec at 53.1%.
Atlantic Canada recorded 44.2% and British Columbia 43.7%. BC also showed the highest share favouring steady levels at 41.2%, consistent with the province’s deeper labour market reliance on newcomers.
Canadians aged 35 to 54 were most likely to support reductions at 56.4%, closely followed by those aged 18 to 34 at 56%.
Those 55 and older showed the highest preference for steady levels at 38.9%.
Immigration cuts and the broker market
For mortgage brokers across Canada, sustained public pressure for further immigration reductions carries a clear demand risk.
Newcomers and temporary residents have long driven rental activity and entry-level purchase demand — two segments central to broker origination volumes.
RBC’s analysis of how immigration policy is reshaping Canada’s rental and housing markets found that “reduced inflows have significant effects on Canada’s rental markets — particularly in areas with a high concentration of students,” according to RBC economist Rachel Battaglia.
“Further target reductions could make rental market cooling more pronounced,” Battaglia said.
Supply-side pressures add further weight. Canada’s shrinking workforce is placing new strain on construction labour capacity, limiting new-home completions at a time when immigration-driven buyer demand is already contracting.
Phil Soper, president and chief executive officer of Royal LePage in Canada, was direct whether Ottawa may revisit its immigration stance.
“We need to ease up immigration [restrictions] again,” Soper said in April, pointing to aging demographics and low birth rates as the structural case for change.
Dan Eisner, founder and chief executive officer of True North Mortgage in Calgary, was more measured.
“Even if it was reversed,” Eisner told Canadian Mortgage Professional, “I don’t think that would cause the housing market to pick up substantially.”
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