Opinion Research Scan E-newsletter – November 2012

Ipsos Reid survey reveals Canadians split on impact of immigration on the country

Background: This survey was conducted by Ipsos Reid and commissioned by Postmedia News and Global Television. The survey was conducted from June 20 to 25, 2012, with 1,101 Canadians via web panel.

Key Findings:

• When asked if they agree with the statement “Canada should let in more immigrants than it currently does,” a majority (72%) of respondents disagreed.
  • Agreement with this statement was highest among respondents in Atlantic Canada (42%, see chart below), males (31%, versus 25% of females), those aged 18-34 (38%, compared to 25% of those 35-54 and 22% of those 55 or older), and those who graduated university (38%, while agreement among those with lower education levels ranged from 22-29%).
• Overall, 40% of respondents agreed that immigration has generally had a positive impact on Canada, compared to 34% who feel it has had a negative impact and 23% who are undecided (see chart below for demographic breakdowns).

Would you say that immigration has generally had a positive or negative impact on Canada?

Making Ontario Home study gathers data on Ontario immigrants’ use of, and satisfaction with, settlement services

Background: The Making Ontario Home (MOH) study was commissioned by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and conducted by the Ontario Metropolis Centre (Centre of Excellence for Research in Immigration and Settlement), the Welcoming Communities Initiative, and the Centre for Community Based Research. According to the 2012 MOH report, “MOH is the first province-wide study in Ontario focused on immigrant and refugee use of settlement and integration services, and […] addresses the service use, satisfaction, and challenges of immigrants” (page 6). The survey was conducted from January to April 2011, accessible in 11 languages, and open to all adult immigrants living in Ontario who had arrived in Canada between 2000 and 2010. Of those who responded to the survey, thirty-one percent (31%) immigrated in 2000-2005 and sixty-nine percent (69%) immigrated in 2006-2010. Focus groups and interviews were also held with key groups.

Key Findings [Note 1]

• “More than 83% of the respondents had used one or more settlement support services. This included 39% who had used only one type of service, 27% who had used two types of services, and 16% who had used all three types of services. In addition:
  • 55% used language training programs and services;
  • 50% reported using employment and skills training programs and services; and
  • 38% used general settlement and integration services.” (page 7)
• “There were 17% of survey respondents who reported not having used any type of support services.
  • The top reasons respondents gave for not accessing services were: not needing assistance (35%); not knowing about the availability of services (30%); and needs being met before turning to a service provider (11%).” (page 7)
• “The top four settlement and integration challenges reported by respondents were: finding employment (62%); limited English language skills (33%); social isolation (27%); and finding housing (23%).” (page 7)
• “Employment was the highest concern for immigrants and refugees:
  • Nearly two thirds (62%) of the respondents identified employment as their most important concern;
  • Respondents in smaller towns reported more success finding jobs;
  • For employment and skills training programs and services, immigrant serving agencies were the main access point, except for youth employment services which were most often accessed at employment centres;
  • Those arriving since 2005 were more satisfied with bridge training programs for regulated professions or trades than those who had arrived before 2005.” (page 8)
• “Language training programs and services rated particularly highly for content and delivery, and limited English language skills were identified as the second greatest settlement challenge:
  • 70% or more of those who used the various language training programs and services rated them as satisfactory or very satisfactory, with the exception of French as a Second Language (50%);
  • Over 70% of those who used language training programs and services reported being satisfied with the six aspects of service delivery that were rated;
  • Nearly one third (33%) identified limited English language skills as a challenge;
  • For language training programs and services, immigrant serving agencies, schools, colleges and universities, and public libraries were all important locations of access.” (page 8)
• “Counseling and advice was the most highly used general settlement service:
  • 61% of those who used general settlement and integration services did so to access counseling and advice.” (page 8)
• “More than 83% of respondents had used one or more settlement support services:
  • 55% reported using language training programs and services;
  • 50% used employment and skills training programs and services;
  • 38% used general settlement and integration services.” (page 8)
• “There was a high degree of satisfaction with service delivery for all three program and service areas:
  • Rated very highly (by over 78% of respondents) for having a welcoming environment;
  • Rated quite highly (by over 68% of respondents) on staff understanding of their needs and quality of information.” (page 8)
• “Period of arrival correlated with significant differences in use of and satisfaction with services:
  • Compared to those arriving between 2000 and 2005, respondents arriving in the period 2006 to 2010 were more likely to have used services, more likely to have accessed them within their first year, and were significantly more satisfied specifically with LINC [Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada] and bridge training programs for regulated professions or trades.” (page 8)
• “Those with higher levels of education were just as likely to use settlement and integration services:
  • There were no significant differences in the likelihood to use employment, language or general settlement and integration services based on educational levels;
  • However, those with higher levels of education were more likely to access employment and skills training programs and services in their first year of arrival.” (page 8)

Ipsos Reid surveys Canadians on national values, icons and culture

Background: This study, commissioned by Global News and Postmedia News and conducted by Ipsos Reid, surveyed Canadians on Canadian symbols, patriotism and commonalities. The survey was conducted with 1,101 Canadians between June 20 and 25, 2012 via an online panel.

Key Findings:

• When asked to identify Canada’s most favourable symbol, 83% of respondents agreed that the Canadian wilderness was most favourable.
  • The next most favourable symbols were the Canadian flag (81%), the national anthem (74%), hockey (73%), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (66%).
• 85% of those surveyed agreed that they consider themselves to be proud and patriotic Canadians.
  • 62% of Quebec respondents agreed with this statement, while 38% disagreed.
• 73% of respondents agreed that ‘multiculturalism in Canada is a good thing.’
• When asked how they identify themselves regionally, 70% of respondents considered themselves to be Canadian, while the other 30% identify more closely with their province.
• 58% of respondents felt that recent immigrants have things in common with those born in Canada, and 42% felt that they have nothing at all in common.
  • Respondents born in Canada were more likely than immigrant respondents to feel that these groups have nothing in common (43% versus 36%, respectively).

Association for Canadian Studies survey reveals that Canadians are not knowledgeable on the history of Confederation

Background: This study, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies, surveyed 1,708 Canadians via web panel between June 23 and 27, 2012.

Key Findings:

• Roughly half (48%) of respondents agreed that they had a good knowledge of the history of Confederation (see chart below).

Knowledge of Confederation

Text version: Knowledge of Confederation

Canadians support celebrating Canada’s achievements on the 150^th anniversary of Confederation

Background: This study, conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies and the National Capital Commission, surveyed 1,708 Canadians via web panel between June 23 and 27, 2012.

Key Findings:

• 67% of Canadians agreed that they would take part in celebrations marking the 150^th anniversary of Confederation.
• Of those who offered an opinion on unifying themes of the anniversary, 33% chose themes surrounding “unity and diversity”, while another 18% chose themes surrounding national pride and accomplishments.
• When asked for meaningful ways to celebrate the anniversary, 11% of respondents suggested a reaffirmation of Canadian citizenship through a ceremony with others across Canada.

In the news:

• Migration Policy Institute (MPI) examines Canadian public opinion regarding immigration and immigrant integration policy: MPI’s Transatlantic Council on Migration has released a report titled “Understanding Canadian Exceptionalism in Immigration and Pluralism Policy”, one part of a Transatlantic Council on Migration series on national identity. The report compares public opinion on immigration across several countries and suggests that Canadians are more supportive of immigration and multiculturalism than their North American and European counterparts.