Many opposed to temporary foreign workers if Canadians looking for same jobs

B.C. most opposed: Survey

More than two-thirds of Canadians (68.8 per cent) are opposed to allowing temporary foreign workers into Canada while Canadians qualified for those same jobs are looking for work, according to a CBC/Nanos survey.

The region most opposed is British Columbia, where 76.5 per cent of adults are opposed, found the survey of 1,000 adults.

Regional breakdown of Canadians supporting or opposed to allowing temporary foreign workers into Canada
while Canadians qualified for those same jobs are looking for work

Support

Somewhat support

Somewhat opposed

Oppose

Unsure

Canada

6.9%

18%

21.5%

47.3%

6.4%

Atlantic

6.3%

15.1%

17.7%

48.4%

12.6%

Quebec

10.6%

17.7%

27.7%

38.4%

5.6%

Ontario

6.3%

19.2%

19.3%

49.3%

4.9%

Prairies

7%

20.2%

19.3%

48.6%

4.9%

B.C.

1.9%

15.3%

21%

55.5%

6.4%

Age-wise, the older generations are more opposed to allowing temporary foreign workers, with those aged 60 and older at 74.5 per cent, those 50 to 59 at 83.1 per cent and those 40 to 49 at 70.5 per cent. Canadians aged 30 to 39 are at 61.6 per cent while those 18 to 29 are at 54 per cent.

As for the federal government’s immigration policy, only 41 per cent of Canadians are satisfied while 45 per cent are dissatisfied and 15 per cent are unsure, found the survey. Regionally, Quebec is least satisfied (47.8 per cent) while the Atlantic is just slightly less dissatisfied (39.2 per cent).

When it comes to benefits, seven in 10 Canadians are opposed to giving temporary foreign workers any benefits beyond basic health care.

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