AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 11, 2026
Survey Reveals Views on Newcomer Support in Toronto and GTA
A recent poll conducted by Canada Pulse Insights for CityNews has shown that most residents in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) believe their communities are providing sufficient support to newcomers. The survey examined various areas, including settlement programs, language learning, employment assistance, and refugee settlement, capturing a diverse array of perspectives from both Canadian-born residents and immigrants.
Settlement and Integration Programs Viewed Favorably
The poll found that 57 per cent of respondents agreed there were enough settlement and integration programs for newcomers. Support for language-learning options was even stronger, with 61 per cent indicating satisfaction. When asked about resources to help newcomers find employment, 56 per cent believed sufficient assistance was available. Additionally, 52 per cent agreed there were enough supports for refugee settlement.
Mixed Opinions on Housing Affordability
Housing options for newcomers emerged as a point of contention. In Toronto, 28 per cent felt there were not enough suitable and affordable housing options for newcomers, while 29 per cent believed there was too much. Similar results appeared in the GTA, where 25 per cent said options were lacking and 29 per cent thought there was an excess.
Perspectives Differ Between Immigrants and Canadian-Born Residents
The survey further analyzed responses from immigrants to Canada versus those born in the country. While both groups were mostly aligned on most issues, opinions diverged notably on refugee settlement support. Thirty-eight per cent of immigrants said their municipality provided too much support for refugee settlement, compared to 30 per cent among Canadian-born respondents. Meanwhile, 49 per cent of immigrants believed the support was adequate, and 12 per cent felt it was lacking. For Canadian-born individuals, 53 per cent felt the level of support was sufficient, and 16 per cent thought it was inadequate.
Federal Funding and Immigration Targets
The question of federal funding for newcomer intake and immigration was also evenly divided. In Toronto, 29 per cent felt there was too much federal funding, with another 29 per cent saying it was insufficient, while 42 per cent believed it was just right. Among GTA residents, 31 per cent said too much, 23 per cent not enough, and 46 per cent thought the amount was appropriate.
These attitudes were assessed just prior to the announcement of the new federal immigration plan, which sets targets for 380,000 new permanent residents and 370,000 new temporary residents annually through 2029, plus a plan to grant permanent status to 200,000 longtime temporary residents by the end of 2027.
Generational Divide and Community Grades
The poll highlighted age-related differences, with residents aged 35 to 54 most likely (39 per cent) to say there was too much support, compared to younger (23 per cent) and older (28 per cent) respondents. Despite general satisfaction, 43 per cent of Toronto and GTA respondents gave their communities a “C” grade for newcomer supports. In Toronto, 11 per cent awarded an “A,” 29 per cent a “B,” 11 per cent a “D,” and 6 per cent assigned a failing grade. In the GTA, 14 per cent gave an “A,” 29 per cent a “B,” 10 per cent a “D,” and 4 per cent a failing grade, averaging a “C+” across both regions.
Survey Methodology
The Canada Pulse Insights survey was conducted from September 14 to 25, 2026, sampling 510 adult residents in Toronto and 825 in the GTA—including Peel, Durham, York, and Halton regions—via an online panel managed by Sago. The margin of error is ±4.3 percentage points for Toronto and ±3.4 for the GTA, 19 times out of 20.
With files from The Canadian Press.
Related coverage
Source: toronto.citynews.ca.
