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Public Attitudes Towards Immigration in Canada: Decreased Support and Increased Political Polarization

Author

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  • Mohamadian, Mehdi

    (Provincial Health Service Authority of British Columbia)

  • Javdani, Mohsen

    (Simon Fraser University)

  • Heroux-Legault, Maxime

    (University of British Columbia, Okanagan)

Abstract

We explore the evolution and determinants of attitudes towards immigration in Canada, utilizing Canadian Election Studies surveys from 1988 to 2019. Our analysis indicates a notable trend: a consistent decrease in anti-immigrant sentiments until the mid-2000s, followed by a shift around 2008 towards gradually more negative attitudes towards immigration. To better understand the factors influencing these attitudes, we examine a comprehensive set of variables. While economic factors seem to have some association with these attitudes, our findings more significantly underscore the role of group-level socio-psychological factors. Additionally, our analysis identifies an emerging polarization along political party lines beginning around 2006. Assessing the relative impact of these factors, our analysis suggests that political party identification has become increasingly significant in influencing attitudes toward immigration.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamadian, Mehdi & Javdani, Mohsen & Heroux-Legault, Maxime, 2024. "Public Attitudes Towards Immigration in Canada: Decreased Support and Increased Political Polarization," IZA Policy Papers 211, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izapps:pp211
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    public attitudes towards immigration; socio-psychological factors; social identity; immigration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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