A new Nanos Research survey published 14 January finds only 6.4 % of Canadians now cite immigration as their top concern, well behind the economy (21.8 %), U.S. relations and inflation. The data suggest the political heat that drove rapid-fire immigration reforms in 2024-25 is moderating. (cicnews.com)
Paradoxically, the calmer public mood comes just as Parliament edges closer to passing Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. The bill—approved in the Commons and awaiting second reading in the Senate next month—would give Cabinet unprecedented power to pause or refuse entire categories of applications, from work permits to eTAs.
At a practical level, global mobility teams don’t have to navigate the uncertainty alone. VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers live updates on policy shifts, step-by-step application tools and outsourced filing services, giving employers and applicants a single dashboard to monitor eTAs, work permits or provincial options as Ottawa fine-tunes the federal system.
![Poll Shows Immigration Slips Down Canadians’ Priority List—but Legislative Overhaul Still Looms]()
Analysts warn that if Bill C-12 becomes law, future caps could be imposed without prior notice, echoing December’s surprise shutdown of the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed streams. Corporate mobility teams therefore need contingency plans to pivot toward provincial pathways or in-country conversions if federal intakes close.
For employers, the polling is a double-edged sword. Lower public anxiety reduces reputational risk when importing talent, yet looming discretionary powers mean program rules could still change overnight. Immigration counsel advise building “plan B” options—especially for high-volume study-permit or global-talent streams—until the legislative picture stabilises.
Overall, the findings hint at a maturing debate: Canadians remain welcoming, but Ottawa is determined to recalibrate volumes and integrity, keeping global mobility professionals on their toes.
Paradoxically, the calmer public mood comes just as Parliament edges closer to passing Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act. The bill—approved in the Commons and awaiting second reading in the Senate next month—would give Cabinet unprecedented power to pause or refuse entire categories of applications, from work permits to eTAs.
At a practical level, global mobility teams don’t have to navigate the uncertainty alone. VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers live updates on policy shifts, step-by-step application tools and outsourced filing services, giving employers and applicants a single dashboard to monitor eTAs, work permits or provincial options as Ottawa fine-tunes the federal system.
Analysts warn that if Bill C-12 becomes law, future caps could be imposed without prior notice, echoing December’s surprise shutdown of the Start-Up Visa and Self-Employed streams. Corporate mobility teams therefore need contingency plans to pivot toward provincial pathways or in-country conversions if federal intakes close.
For employers, the polling is a double-edged sword. Lower public anxiety reduces reputational risk when importing talent, yet looming discretionary powers mean program rules could still change overnight. Immigration counsel advise building “plan B” options—especially for high-volume study-permit or global-talent streams—until the legislative picture stabilises.
Overall, the findings hint at a maturing debate: Canadians remain welcoming, but Ottawa is determined to recalibrate volumes and integrity, keeping global mobility professionals on their toes.
