Majority Of Canadians Believe That People Should Be Able To Take Refuge In Other Countries, Including Canada
Toronto, ON, June 20, 2020 — World Refugee Day, observed on June 20th, is dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of refugees, arguably one of the most marginalized and vulnerable communities. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, the world is witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record, with 79.5 million people forced from their homes by conflict or persecution i. And, as the world grapples with COVID-19, the most vulnerable groups, including refugees, will inevitably be disproportionally impacted by the outbreak.
As 2020 World Refugee Day approaches, a new Ipsos global study was conducted across 26 countries including Canada and respondents were asked to think about the topic of refugees, how they play a role in their country, and how the pandemic may have impacted their views. Many Canadians pride themselves on belonging to a country reputed as welcoming and inclusive, where multiculturism is a proud defining aspect of the country’s identity. However, at a time when the pandemic threatens all individuals, albeit unequally across groups, do Canadians want to step up to the plate to continue to welcome refugees?
More Than 3 In 4 Believe That People Should Be Able To Take Refuge In Other Countries, Including In Canada
There is majority support in favour of people being able to seek refuge in Canada, with a noticeable change from last year when opinion was much more divided. More than three in four (77%) Canadians believe that people should be able to take refuge in other countries, including in Canada, to escape from war or persecution. This is up 10 points from 67% when this question was asked in 2019. At the global level, seven in ten (72%) believe in the fundamental right of refugees to seek refuge, which is up 11 points from 61% in 2019. Those most likely to agree with the principle of the right to seek refuge are in Sweden (81%), Netherlands (80%) and Spain (79%). Respondents in South Korea (55%), Hungary (57%) and Malaysia (60%) are less likely to agree than the global average.
Further, Canadians feel more positively about the ability of refugees to successfully integrate into their new society than last year. Indeed - the majority (57%) agrees that most refugees who come to Canada will successfully integrate into their new society. Again, this is up 9 points from 48% in 2019. Globally, close to half (45%) agree that refugees will integrate successfully into their new society – an increase of seven points from 38% since 2019. Countries that are most optimistic about refugees successfully integrating into their new society are Saudi Arabia (65%), India (64%) and Argentina (61%). Countries that are least likely to agree that refugees will successfully integrate are South Korea (26%), Hungary and Belgium (both 28%).
Concerns Over COVID-19 Means That Canadians Think Their Country Should Accept Fewer Refugees
As Canadians are weathering the pandemic, they are left feeling anxious and worried about what will come next. These extenuating circumstances have likely contributed to Canadians believing that their country should accept fewer refugees, while skepticism has increased about whether those coming into their country as refugees have genuine intentions.
Canadians are truly divided as 44% agree that most foreigners who want to get into my country as a refugee really aren't refugees. They just want to come here for economic reasons, or to take advantage of our welfare services. An equal proportion (45%) disagrees with this notion.
Globally though, Canadians are least likely to have skepticism of refugees. On average, more than half of global citizens (59%) agree that most foreigners who want to get into my country as a refugee really aren't refugees – an increase of five points from 54% since 2019. Those most likely to doubt the authenticity of refugees coming into their country are in Malaysia (75%), India and Russia (both 74%) and Turkey (72%), while those among the least likely to question whether refugees are genuine are in Britain, Sweden, the US (all 51%), Brazil (47%) and Canada (44%).
Half (50%) of Canadians believe that Canada should be less open to accepting refugees than it was before the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak. One in three (35%) believe that things should stay the same, while 5% actually believe that the country should be more open than it was before. One in ten (9%) say they don’t know. In no country is there majority support for being more open to refugees at this time. Countries where there is greatest support for being less open are Turkey (67%), Russia (66%), Peru (65%) and Malaysia (64%).
Half Of Canadians Believe Government Should Decrease The Amount It Spends On Supports For Refugees
On this same note, half (49%) also believe that the Canadian government ought to decrease the amount it spends on supports for refugees, while comparatively fewer believe spending should stay the same as before the outbreak (31%), while just 5% believe spending should increase. Another 14% said that they didn’t know either way. At the global level, just over one in ten (13%) say that their country should increase spending (13%) to support refugees around the world because of Coronavirus and one in three want to keep it at the same level (34%). However, two in five (38%) say that spending should be decreased. People in India are most likely to support an increase in spending (33%) followed by Saudi Arabia and Chile (both 23%). Those most likely to say spending should be decreased are in Mexico (52%), Hungary and Canada (both 49%).
Further, four in ten Canadians (42%) agree that we must close our borders to refugees entirely we can't accept any at this time, this is up from three in ten (29%) in 2019, perhaps demonstrating Canadians’ fearfulness driven by the pandemic. At the global level, half (49%) say that they must close their country’s borders and not accept refugees at this time, which has increased by nine points from 40% in 2019. Respondents in Malaysia (82%), Turkey (71%) and India (68%) are most likely to agree that their country’s borders should be closed to refugees at this time, compared with respondents in Spain (35%), Japan (37%) and Poland (37%) who are among the least likely to advocate a closed borders policy.
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i https://www.unhcr.org/figures-at-a-glance.html
About the Study
This survey is an international sample of 17,997, adults aged 18-64 in the US, South Africa, Turkey and Canada, and age 16-64 in all other countries, were interviewed. The Fieldwork was conducted from 22nd May – June 5th 2020. Approximately 1000+ individuals participated on a country by country basis via the Ipsos Online Panel with the exception of Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Hungary, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden and Turkey, where each have a sample approximately 500+.
15 of the 26 countries surveyed online generate nationally representative samples in their countries (Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and United States).
Brazil, China, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Russia, Serbia, South Africa and Turkey produce a national sample that is more urban & educated, and with higher incomes than their fellow citizens. We refer to these respondents as “Upper Deck Consumer Citizens”. They are not nationally representative of their country.
Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be+-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don't knows or not stated responses.
The precision of Ipsos online polls are calculated using a credibility interval with a poll of 1,000 accurate to +/- 3.1 percentage points and of 500 accurate to +/- 4.5 percentage points. For more information on the Ipsos use of credibility intervals, please visit the Ipsos website.
Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Darrell Bricker
CEO, Ipsos Global Public Affairs
+1 416 324 2001
[email protected]
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
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