A Surprising Shift Among Canada’s Immigrant Communities

In 2025, a striking trend has emerged in Canada: many established immigrants are now echoing anti-immigration rhetoric, raising questions about the future of the country’s multicultural identity.

What fuels this reversal is a mix of economic pressures, social acceptance, and the pursuit of stability. While Canada continues to welcome record numbers of newcomers, some long-settled immigrants argue the system is overstretched and that new arrivals face unfair challenges—particularly around housing shortages, unemployment, and inflation.

This tension is reshaping Canada’s political and cultural landscape, sparking debate over who gets to belong and how open the country should remain.

From Newcomer to Gatekeeper

Take the example of Arjun, a second-generation Canadian whose parents emigrated from Sri Lanka in the 1990s. Growing up in Vancouver, his family endured economic struggles, unstable housing, and precarious jobs.

Now 25, Arjun surprisingly supports stricter immigration policies. “Once you’re here, you’re Canadian,” he told researchers. “You have to protect what you’ve earned.”

His stance reflects a broader trend: immigrants who once relied on Canada’s welcoming policies are now pushing for restrictions, highlighting a growing divide between established immigrants and newcomers.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Surveys confirm this shift.

• A 2025 Vision Canada poll found that 68% of immigrants who have lived in Canada for more than five years support tighter rules on international students and temporary workers.
  
  
• Among South Asian Canadians, 75% favour stricter immigration controls, with many viewing Canada’s ambitious immigration targets as excessive.
• Research from the University of British Columbia shows immigrant voters in cities like Toronto and Vancouver increasingly leaning toward conservative politics.

On social media, these views are amplified, with established immigrants often accusing newcomers of failing to integrate or straining public resources.

Why Some Immigrants Oppose Immigration

Sociologist Dr. Anika Patel explains that this backlash is often a strategy for social positioning. By adopting anti-immigration views, some immigrants align themselves with Canada’s power structures and distance themselves from marginalized newcomers.

This mindset often creates a divide between “deserving” and “undeserving” immigrants. For example, while many families benefited from family reunification programs, some now argue these same pathways are burdensome.

Identity, Politics, and Privilege

The rise of Hindu nationalist groups in Canada illustrates how identity politics play into this dynamic. Many South Asian immigrants are increasingly supporting conservative leaders who echo their concerns about cultural integration and “uncontrolled immigration.”

At the same time, caste-based tensions within the diaspora remain unacknowledged, with some resisting policies that would address caste discrimination, fearing it undermines their “model minority” image.

The Populist Paradox

This alignment creates what experts call the “populist paradox.” Conservative politicians benefit from immigrant support, while immigrants hope to gain social acceptance and privilege. Yet systemic barriers remain, and policies often prioritize wealthier Canadians over vulnerable newcomers.

As a result, the very communities calling for stricter immigration may also see fewer social supports in areas like housing and healthcare.

The Future of Multiculturalism in Canada

Canada’s multicultural identity is under pressure. Established immigrants, once champions of open-door policies, are increasingly skeptical of newcomers.

A 2025 Environics Institute report shows 60% of racialized Canadians now believe that too many immigrants fail to adopt Canadian values—a sharp increase from previous years.

Whether multiculturalism can withstand these internal divisions remains an open question. What’s clear is that immigration is not just about entering a new country—it’s about navigating the complexities of belonging. For some, that means building walls once they’ve crossed the threshold.