A Distinctive Culture? The Sources of Public Support for Immigration in Canada, 1980–2019. Issue 4 (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Banting, Keith; Soroka, Stuart
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of political science. Volume 53:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 821
• Page End: 838
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: immigration, -- public opinion, -- political behaviour; immigration, -- opinion publique, -- comportements politiques; Political science -- Periodicals; 320
• DOI: 10.1017/S0008423920000530
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0008-4239

Abstract

Abstract: Canada has often been seen as immune from the powerful backlash against globalization and immigration that has driven political shifts elsewhere. This article challenges this belief, at least in part, by tracing the evolution of public attitudes toward immigration and analyzing the factors that have shaped the trajectory for over three decades. Drawing on nearly forty years of Environics Focus Canada surveys, combined with annual data on macro-economics and immigration flows, findings here suggest that Canadians' tolerance toward immigration responds to immigration flows and is heavily influenced by macro-economic conditions.