Majority of Canadians support hiring foreign workers

A new sociological survey has confirmed Canadians' positive attitudes towards attracting foreign professionals to Canada. Sociologists asked respondents how important the newcomers are to the Canadian economy, whether they support employers bringing them to Canada to fill jobs, and whether they should be given opportunities to become Canadian citizens or permanent residents. And here's what was found.

Importance of newcomers to the economy

An overwhelming majority of Canadians believe that temporary foreign workers are important (48%) or somewhat important (34%) to the Canadian economy. Older Canadians (55 and older) are more likely to think migrant workers are important (56%) than younger Canadians (38%).

Employer support

79% of respondents support employers inviting temporary foreign workers to Canada to fill jobs for which they cannot find Canadians. Support is strongest in the Atlantic region (61% full support and 25% partial support) and Quebec (57% full support and 32% partial support), and the greatest resistance was shown by residents of the Prairie provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta) and Ontario.

Issuance of residence permits and citizenship

More than two-thirds of Canadians support working foreigners staying in Canada and wanting to become citizens. 32% of respondents supported such intentions fully, while another 37% were partially supportive. 14% of respondents were categorically opposed.

Older Canadians (74% of people over age 55) were more likely to support or partially support granting permanent residence and citizenship to temporary foreign workers than younger Canadians (62% of people aged 18-34).

Open work permits

Canada currently issues two types of work permits: closed and open. The former allow a foreign professional to remain in the country as long as he or she is employed by the employer for whom he or she originally came to Canada. Open work permits allow visitors to change employers.

31% of Canadians surveyed said they supported the existence of such an option, while 17% preferred that foreign professionals should not be able to change employers. Respondents from Quebec (43%) showed the highest level of approval for open authorizations, while respondents from the Prairies (24%) and British Columbia (26%) showed the lowest.

The survey was conducted by Nanos in a hybrid format — by phone and online. A total of 1,006 Canadians aged 18 and older between December 27 and December 29, 2023 were asked their opinions. Results were statistically verified and weighted by age and gender using the latest census information, and the sample was geographically stratified to be representative of Canada.