Folks march in direction of Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland's workplace in Toronto throughout a rally led by present and former worldwide college students calling for modifications to immigration guidelines throughout COVID-19 on Sept. 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

With an growing old and slow-growing inhabitants, Canada will depend on immigration for financial and demographic development.

However the COVID-19 pandemic has successfully closed our borders and just about halted the entry of immigrants.

Troubling new proof about Canadian attitudes, formed by the pandemic, means that even when borders lastly reopen and the financial rebuilding begins, immigrants could now not be as welcome as they’ve been prior to now.

Exterior Canada, the far proper has stoked anti-immigrant rhetoric, and Canada isn’t resistant to racism in opposition to immigrants.

Learn extra:

Quiet Canadian, ugly American: Does racism differ north of the border?

Regardless of Canadians’ historic openness to newcomers, there are calls right here at house for lowering the variety of immigrants allowed to enter, and there’s rising discrimination in opposition to immigrants, notably individuals from Asia.

Everlasting injury?

Might pandemic fears completely harden Canadian attitudes towards immigration, and generate stress to cut back the variety of yearly arrivals?

With considerations that the pandemic has made Canadians much less open to immigration, researchers at McMaster College labored with Dynata Analysis to conduct a nationwide survey in early August. The survey, which has but to be revealed, requested 1,000 Canadians aged 25 and over about their attitudes towards immigration and their experiences in the course of the pandemic.

The outcomes elevate questions on when, how and even whether or not Canada ought to be keen to reopen its borders to immigrants after the pandemic has been managed.

Federal Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino removes his face masks earlier than saying a program to assist asylum-seekers who labored within the healthcare system in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic to realize everlasting residence standing.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Canadians ranked COVID-19 because the No. 1 downside presently dealing with the nation. This was ranked far forward of the economic system and well being care, which have been ranked second and third, respectively. Crime, the atmosphere, poverty, unemployment and different points ranked a lot decrease.

Amid rising ranges of immigration into the nation earlier than the pandemic (greater than 300,000 in 2019), about six in 10 Canadians had been snug with the variety of immigrants coming into the nation.

In truth, most respondents mentioned they felt immigration has made Canada a greater place. Barely greater than 50 per cent of respondents additionally mentioned immigration has a constructive impression on the economic system and Canada’s cultural and social life. A big majority additionally felt that immigrants have been welcomed into their communities.

However a deeper dive into the numbers reveals clear indicators of pressure and discomfort over immigration, notably looking forward to when Canada emerges from the pandemic. As an illustration, greater than half of respondents felt immigrants weren’t adopting Canadian values, and 46 per cent felt immigrants posed a threat to Canada’s social-welfare system.

Extra damaging

Whereas the bulk felt their attitudes towards immigration had not modified for the reason that pandemic began, some 20 per cent of Canadians mentioned they’ve developed a extra damaging perspective towards it.

Maybe most revealing is the respondents’ solutions when requested if immigration ranges ought to be elevated after the pandemic to make up for the immigrants who couldn’t make it to Canada in the course of the lockdown.

Solely a small proportion of respondents indicated that immigration numbers ought to be elevated. A majority of respondents felt the variety of immigrants ought to really be lowered due to the impacts of COVID-19. Wanting farther forward, solely 22 per cent of Canadian respondents felt immigration can be an essential a part of Canada’s financial restoration.

Racism and discrimination towards racial minorities was additionally acknowledged, with one in 10 respondents reporting an expertise of racism or discrimination for the reason that pandemic began. Most respondents additionally felt that such incidents had elevated since March 2020.

An anti-Islamic protester is pursued by a bunch of protesters with opposing views throughout an illustration at Toronto Metropolis Corridor in March 2017.

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Lukewarm about immigration

Total, the survey outcomes recommend that Canadians could also be much less eager on immigration now than prior to now.

Extra look like taking the view that closing the borders and limiting entry would defend each the economic system and the well being of Canadians. However the nation’s economic system and its status for welcoming newcomers can be in danger if these rising attitudes take maintain.

Canada nonetheless wants immigrants to assist rebuild the economic system, fill job vacancies and broaden the tax base. Regardless of the pressure COVID-19 has positioned on Canadian society, it’s crucial that Canada continues to be open to immigration.

Doing so implies that its economic system, inhabitants and labour drive are prepared for the post-pandemic world. Turning away immigrants after the pandemic wouldn’t simply harm the individuals hoping to make a brand new begin in Canada, it could harm the people who find themselves already right here.

Bruce Newbold acquired funding from McMaster College's COVID-19 Analysis Fund.