10 Common Myths About Immigrants in Canada – Debunked

Canada is one of the world’s most immigrant-friendly nations, and newcomers help shape its economy, culture, and society. In fact, nearly one in four Canadians is foreign-born, and Statistics Canada projects that immigrants could make up 29–34% of the population by 2041. Despite this reality—and public-opinion polls showing most Canadians believe immigration levels are appropriate—many myths and misconceptions about immigrants persist. Below we examine 10 widespread myths about immigrants in Canada, using data, research and real examples to explain why each one is false. We include citations to official studies and success stories to provide a complete, evidence-based picture, while keeping a conversational tone.

Newcomers and old-timers celebrate together: Canada’s diversity is reflected in every facet of national life. Immigrants now comprise roughly 23% of the Canadian population, helping drive growth in cities, business and culture. (Image: friends at a Canada Day celebration)

Myth 1: “Immigrants are a burden on the Canadian economy.”

Fact: Immigrants bolster Canada’s economy, paying taxes and filling key roles – they are not a net drain. In fact, studies find immigrants pay far more in taxes than they take in benefits. Economist Arvind Magesan, for example, calculated the average immigrant in Canada pays about $10,800 per year in federal income tax while receiving only about $7,800 in government services. In other words, newcomers are net contributors.

More broadly, immigrants drive nearly 100% of Canada’s labour force growth. With Canada’s aging population, newcomers supply younger workers to support businesses and services. A Statistics Canada report shows that from 2016 to 2021, immigrants accounted for 80% of the growth in Canada’s labour force. Similarly, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) notes that all recent labour-force growth comes from immigration. Without immigrants, key industries would face severe shortages and slower growth.

• Filling skill gaps: Canada’s immigration system actively targets needed occupations. For example, recent Express Entry invitations went to software engineers, computer programmers, financial auditors, and other skilled professionals – fields where Canada has shortages. In healthcare, 1 in 4 workers is foreign-born, including about 37% of pharmacists and 36% of physicians. In science and engineering R&D, immigrants make up about 34% of the workforce. These are not “jobs Canadians won’t do” – they are vital jobs Canadians need filled.

• Paying taxes: Immigrants contribute billions to public revenue. By 2041, as much as one-third of Canadians could be immigrant, improving the worker-to-retiree ratio. Every immigrant paying income tax, sales tax and property tax helps sustain pensions, healthcare and schools.

• Entrepreneurship and job creation: Immigrants are more likely to start businesses. One survey found immigrants were twice as likely as the Canadian-born to be entrepreneurs (2.9% vs 1.5% for men). Crucially, immigrant-founded firms create jobs. Statistics Canada reports immigrant-owned firms accounted for 25% of net job creation while representing only 17% of all firms. In other words, immigrants create jobs for Canadians, not take them away.

Real example: Consider Vikram Vij, an Indian-born chef who moved to Vancouver. He built a successful chain of restaurants that employ dozens of Canadians and popularize Indian cuisine. Other success stories include tech entrepreneurs like Sergey Brin (Google co-founder, who grew up in Canada) and artist Chan Hon Goh (Hong Kong-born prima ballerina), showing immigrants often found thriving careers that enrich the economy. These stories reflect the broader fact: immigrants help grow Canada’s economy, not drain it.

Myth 2: “Immigrants take away jobs from Canadians.”

Fact: Immigrants expand the job market and often create jobs; they do not simply displace Canadian-born workers. By increasing demand for housing, services and innovation, newcomers stimulate business growth. Many immigrants start new companies – a boon for the economy.

Importantly, unemployment is higher among recent immigrants than Canadian-born – evidence that they struggle to find jobs themselves, not steal them. In 2022, immigrants in Canada for less than 5 years had an unemployment rate of 8.2%, compared to about 5.0% for people born here. (IRCC confirms recent newcomers face 64% higher unemployment than native-born.) This gap exists despite Canada’s shortages in many sectors, reflecting barriers like credential recognition or language adjustment. If immigrants were “taking” jobs, they would have lower unemployment.

• Creating jobs: As noted above, immigrant entrepreneurs generate jobs. One survey found immigrant-owned businesses (though only 17% of firms) accounted for 25% of net new jobs. In other words, immigrant entrepreneurs create employment for Canadians at a higher rate than businesses owned by native-born Canadians.

• Labour-market complements: Many immigrants fill jobs that Canadians cannot fill, easing shortages. For example, Canada’s booming tech sector has more openings than local graduates, so recruiting foreign-trained IT specialists (e.g., programmers, engineers) fills a gap, not displaces locals.

• Overqualification and struggle: New immigrants often cannot use their skills fully and become overqualified for available jobs. IRCC notes that about 25.8% of immigrants with foreign university degrees work in jobs requiring at most a high school diploma. This “brain waste” is a loss to the immigrant and society, not a gain for native workers. The government is working on credential recognition, but the fact is many newcomers take lower-skilled jobs or part-time work initially, rather than kick Canadians out of jobs.

Real example: Kalpesh Patel came to Halifax in 2022 as a skilled social services worker from India. Despite his experience, he couldn’t find matching work and ended up in an unrelated retail job – an example of an underemployed immigrant, not someone who displaced a Canadian. On the flip side, many immigrants hire Canadians. For instance, tech startup founders from abroad often recruit Canadian graduates, so their ventures expand the workforce.

In short, immigrants grow the job pie: they bring investment, start firms and fill gaps that let the economy create more jobs. The evidence shows they do not “steal” jobs from Canadians.

Myth 3: “Immigrants bring crime and terrorists.”

Fact: Immigrants to Canada are subject to rigorous security checks and historically have lower crime rates than Canadian-born residents. Border authorities conduct extensive background and health screening before granting permanent residence or refugee status. As one University of Manitoba criminologist notes, “in just about every country, immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than the people who were there before them.” In Canada, increased immigration has coincided with falling crime rates since the 1970s.

Statistically, foreign-born Canadians are much safer than native-born peers. A Statistics Canada analysis of 2004 data found immigrants experienced only 68 violent incidents per 1,000 people versus 116 per 1,000 among non-immigrants. Even after accounting for age and other risk factors, immigrants were 30% less likely to be victims of violence than Canadian-born people. (Second-generation Canadians – those born here with immigrant parents – have crime rates similar to other Canadians, showing that it is not upbringing in immigrant families that increases risk.)

• Terrorism screening: Canada’s refugee and immigration system is not a “free pass” for bad actors. All refugees undergo UN or Canadian vetting before resettlement, and permanent residents face security clearances and admissibility rules. Incidents of terrorism by immigrants are extremely rare and receive huge attention, but they do not reflect any broader pattern. The vast majority of asylum-seekers and immigrants come seeking work or safety, not violence.

• Refugees as victims, not perpetrators: Refugees in particular flee violence and persecution, making them far more likely to have suffered crime than to commit it. For example, a Citizens for Public Justice report notes refugees’ trauma makes them victims, not perpetrators, of violence.

Real example: Toronto’s former Governor General Michaëlle Jean (born in Haiti) was a broadcast journalist and community activist before her appointment – hardly a criminal profile. Many immigrants have gone on to law enforcement and justice careers. The fact that half of recent immigrants settle in major cities (see Myth 9) with more policing shows any potential issues are managed by existing systems. Canadian studies consistently find no link between immigration and rising crime; instead, multicultural cities like Toronto and Vancouver remain among Canada’s safest large cities by violent crime rate.

In short, immigrants reduce crime statistically, and Canadian screening is designed to keep dangerous people out. The myth of immigrants as criminals is not supported by evidence.

Myth 4: “Immigrants won’t learn English or integrate into Canadian society.”

Fact: Most immigrants do speak English or French and actively participate in communities. Learning an official language is required for permanent residency in the economic class, and newcomers strongly want to succeed here. According to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, 92.7% of recent immigrants can hold a conversation in English or French. That figure is higher than many might expect, and it rises the longer immigrants stay: for example, 76.4% of immigrants who have lived in Canada over 10 years use an official language at home. These rates are similar to or even exceed second-generation Canadians.

Moreover, immigrants are civically engaged. About one-third have volunteered with community groups or charities and roughly two-thirds belong to clubs, faith groups or other social organizations. A Statistics Canada social networks study found that immigrants and their children who are active in religious or community groups tend to have strong local networks, trust their neighbors, and volunteer. This shows many newcomers are eager to integrate into “Canadian society” by meeting neighbors, attending local events and giving back.

Community leadership in action: Immigrants often become engaged local citizens. The man above is speaking at a citizenship ceremony in Ontario. By 2021, nearly 8.4 million people in Canada had been immigrants. Most learn English or French and rapidly join local life – as evidenced by strong volunteer rates and civic involvement.

• Language learning: Canada’s immigration system emphasizes language skills. Most economic immigrants must pass a high-level English or French test (CLB 7+) before arriving. Settlement programs also offer language classes. The result is that within a few years, over 90% of immigrants are able to converse in an official language. Newcomers often attend language schools or community ESL classes to improve skills so they can work and socialize.

• Cultural adaptation: Canada’s policy of multiculturalism means newcomers are encouraged to retain their heritage while adopting Canadian customs. The high rates of volunteerism and organizational membership show immigrants are not secluding themselves. For example, many immigrant families celebrate Canadian traditions like Thanksgiving or Canada Day alongside their cultural holidays. Religious and cultural diversity does not imply isolation; rather, most newcomers simultaneously connect with both their own community and the broader Canadian society.

Real example: Actress Mena Massoud, who moved from Egypt as a child, regularly volunteers and speaks about being a multicultural Canadian. He speaks fluent English and celebrates both his Egyptian roots and Canadian citizenship. Similarly, entrepreneur Vidya Varma, a Tamil newcomer to Manitoba, helped launch local cultural festivals and hockey programs – a blend of her Indian culture and Canadian community life. These illustrate how immigrants often become bridge-builders, not separatists.

In summary, the notion that “immigrants don’t want to fit in” is false. Canadian immigrants routinely learn English/French and engage civically. Canada’s own statistics and integration programs show they are integrating.

Myth 5: “Refugees and immigrants receive more financial support than Canadian pensioners.”

Fact: Canadian governments do not pay refugees more than pensioners or otherwise give them lavish benefits. In fact, most refugees and newcomers receive minimal support, often no direct government money beyond first-year settlement help. The Canadian government explicitly debunked this claim: “Refugees do not get more financial help from the federal government than Canadian pensioners do,” according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. A viral chain email exaggerating refugee benefits was confirmed false by IRCC.

Specifically, government-assisted refugees receive social assistance at local rates (enough only to cover basic food and shelter) and a one-time start-up loan. Privately sponsored refugees receive no government funds at all, relying on sponsors for support. Canadian pensioners, by contrast, get Old Age Security and sometimes supplements; refugees get no ongoing direct benefit akin to OAS. As IRCC says, the monthly support refugees receive “covers only the most basic food and shelter needs” and is based on the lowest rates.

• Work and taxes: Almost all working immigrants contribute taxes like other Canadians, funding healthcare and pensions. They don’t live on handouts.

• Healthcare: Refugees do get health coverage through the interim federal health plan for a limited period, but that is not a cash benefit – it is health insurance equivalent to what citizens have. Pensioners get seniors’ drug plans or free healthcare at a later age. They also paid into Canada Pension Plan or OAS over decades of work, unlike refugees.

• Myth origin: The false story often mixes up a small initial “start-up” resettlement loan refugees get to buy essentials (which is paid back) with monthly welfare amounts, inflating the comparison. In reality, pensioners’ OAS and GIS often exceed any refugee subsidy. IRCC’s clarifications make this clear.

Real example: A Canadian pensioner typically receives at least several hundred dollars monthly from OAS/GIS. Meanwhile, a government-assisted refugee family might get only a few hundred dollars total per month (split among all members) for basic needs. The belief that refugees get “$2,000 per month” is a myth. In fact, many refugees quickly find work (up to 60% employment in recent years) and pay taxes, contributing to rather than draining public finances.

In short, refugees and immigrants do not receive special financial perks. They get only modest support at arrival, and most soon become tax-paying Canadians. The idea that they enjoy more benefits than elderly Canadians is proven false by government data.

Myth 6: “Immigrants are mostly uneducated or low-skilled.”

Fact: Canada’s immigration system prefers educated, skilled newcomers. A large portion of immigrants arrive through economic programs requiring education and work experience, so many hold degrees or credentials. Indeed, IRCC reports that over one-third of recent immigrants in 2016–2021 were selected as skilled workers, and another one-third through provincial nominee programs for skilled professionals.

Statistics confirm the education level of immigrants: as of the latest census, 50% of recent immigrants had a university degree (compared to 29% of Canadian-born). Immigrants often have higher qualification levels than the native population. The problem is not that immigrants lack skills, but rather that Canada’s job market sometimes doesn’t recognize foreign credentials. IRCC notes underemployment is common: about 25.8% of immigrants with foreign degrees were working in jobs requiring only a high school diploma in 2021. This shows Canadian-born workers are being undercut by foreign credentials in their own fields.

• Screening and points system: Economic immigrants must meet high standards: they earn points for education (often requiring a university degree), work experience, language ability and more. Applicants with low skills get few points and are unlikely to be invited.

• Fields of training: Many immigrants are engineers, doctors, IT experts, or business professionals. For example, one out of every four healthcare workers in Canada is an immigrant. The engineering and tech sectors also rely heavily on foreign-trained specialists.

• Work toward credentials: Canadian provinces are working to accredit foreign qualifications (Foreign Credential Recognition programs) because many immigrants are qualified professionals. According to IRCC, a 2021 census found immigrants with degrees “were working in jobs requiring at most a high school diploma, twice the rate of Canadian-educated degree holders”. This underutilization is a barrier for immigrants, not evidence they are unskilled.

Real example: Dr. Kaberi Banerjee immigrated from India as a scientist. Even though she held a Ph.D., it took years to have her credentials recognized in Canada. Once licensed, she became a medical researcher and now contributes to Canadian public health. Her story is typical: many immigrants have advanced degrees but must re-qualify. Once they do, they add to Canada’s pool of highly trained workers.

Thus the notion that immigrants are “uneducated” is incorrect. In fact, many newcomers are highly educated and skilled; the challenge is making use of their training – which Canada is actively improving.

Myth 7: “Immigrants drain Canada’s welfare and social programs.”

Fact: Immigrants in Canada are not disproportionately on welfare or social assistance. On the contrary, newcomers – especially economic immigrants – tend to be of working age and make fewer demands on social programs in their early years. Studies show that within a few years, most immigrants enter the labor force, earn salaries, and contribute to social insurance funds (CPP, EI, etc.).

• Labor-market adjustment: As noted, many recent immigrants struggle initially (higher unemployment), but a high percentage eventually find work. The Canadian-born unemployment rate is lower partly because many newcomers are still learning language or earning Canadian accreditation. After 5–10 years, immigrant employment rates converge toward Canadian norms.

• Use of benefits: There is no evidence that immigrants use welfare more than others. In fact, IRCC points out that government-assisted refugees are only given basic social assistance at local rates. Other immigrants (economic or family class) are ineligible for most income supports on arrival; they rely on savings and work. Over time, immigrants pay into welfare and pension systems like Canadians.

• Fiscal contribution: Recall that an average immigrant pays more taxes than they take. Even if a newcomer does use some public services (healthcare, education for their children), they also pay taxes. The net fiscal effect tends to be positive over the long run.

There is one legitimate concern: some immigrants (like any group) may have higher usage of health or unemployment benefits temporarily. But studies show newcomers contribute more in taxes than they receive even in their first years. Any short-term costs (e.g. settlement services, bridging programs) are investments to help newcomers become productive Canadians.

Real example: Most provincial governments offer bridging programs for new nurses or engineers. A family’s child might attend public school, but the parents pay taxes funding education. A new immigrant family with young children might use healthcare, but as they work their contributions go back into the system. Over decades, immigrants’ children join the workforce, further balancing the books.

In summary, the image of immigrants living off welfare is a myth. Statistics and government data show immigrants are generally net contributors to social programs, especially as they settle and work.

Myth 8: “Immigrants will erode Canadian culture or identity.”

Fact: Far from destroying Canadian culture, immigrants help enrich it and are a core part of the Canadian identity. Canada has an official policy of multiculturalism (since 1971) that recognizes the value of diverse cultural heritage. The truth is that Canada itself is built on immigration: almost all Canadians (outside Indigenous peoples) are descended from immigrants. Newcomers bring traditions, art, food and languages that become woven into the Canadian tapestry.

• Cultural mosaic: The idea of a “melting pot” does not apply in Canada. Immigrants are encouraged to keep their traditions while adopting Canadian values (democracy, tolerance, etc.). This approach has produced a society where festivals like Diwali, Lunar New Year and Eid are celebrated alongside Thanksgiving and Canada Day. That’s not replacing Canadian culture – it is expanding it.

• Shared values: Surveys show immigrants generally share Canadian core values such as safety, education and freedom. They send their children to Canadian schools, participate in the economy, and often learn Canadian sports and hobbies. Many celebrate hockey or winter sports, reflecting their integration into local culture.

• No single “Canadian culture”: Canada has always been a nation of immigrants, so defining a static culture is impossible. Multiculturalism is one of Canada’s distinguishing features internationally. The success of this model is evident: Canada is consistently cited as a harmonious, diverse society.

Real example: Look at cuisine and arts. Today, you can enjoy sushi made by Japanese-Canadian chefs, rap music by Toronto’s diverse youth, or Bollywood-style film productions – all popular in Canada. Institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum or Toronto Symphony include immigrant artists and exhibits from around the world. Famous Canadians like violinist Lang Lang or scientist Arvind Gupta (Indian-born) exemplify how immigrants both keep their roots and become Canadian icons.

In fact, the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards (a national program) honors exactly those who “have adopted Canada as their own”, underscoring that immigrants often become exemplars of Canadian society. Over time, many immigrant families view Canada as home: they vote, serve in the military, and run for office. There is no evidence that newcomers undermine Canadian values. Instead, they often bring new ideas and energy that make Canadian culture more vibrant and inclusive.

Myth 9: “Canada is full – too many immigrants – and housing is unaffordable because of them.”

Fact: Canada is an enormous country with one of the lowest population densities among developed nations. Even with current levels of immigration, Canada remains sparsely populated. Moreover, immigration is not the cause of high housing prices or cost of living. Housing markets depend on many factors (interest rates, zoning, construction costs), and new arrivals often help justify more building and labor to support growth.

• Attitudes: Only about 35% of Canadians currently believe “too many immigrants” come to Canada, while almost half say the number is “just right”. That indicates most Canadians do not see immigrants as an overwhelming influx.

• Population growth: Canada’s natural birth rate is below replacement, so immigrants are the main driver of growth. In fact, without immigration, the population would stagnate or decline, weakening the economy. Long-term projections (to 2041) show immigrant population reaching 29–34%. This growth is planned and gradual, giving governments time to expand infrastructure.

• Housing demand: Immigrants do increase population, which raises housing demand, but this demand existed whether people were Canadian-born or not. If Canada had double the number of babies instead, we’d face the same housing needs. The solution lies in smarter policy (building more housing, investing in transit), not in stopping immigration. Canada is actually encouraging newcomers to settle outside crowded cities (e.g. Atlantic provinces) to balance growth.

Real example: Western Canada’s booming economy has attracted immigrants, but also natural growth; cities like Vancouver and Toronto have complex housing issues that predate recent immigration. Many immigrants actually move to smaller cities (Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax), where housing is more affordable. To illustrate, one in four Toronto residents is foreign-born, and Toronto’s housing prices are the result of supply constraints and local demand – factors not fixed by limiting immigration.

In short, Canada welcomes newcomers because they help fill neighborhoods and work opportunities. Blaming them for housing crises ignores the many policy and economic factors at play. With proper planning, immigration can support needed growth without overcrowding – as it has for decades.

Myth 10: “Immigrants (or refugees) might bring security threats or become terrorists.”

Fact: Canada’s immigration system includes strict security screening, and immigrants do not pose a special terrorism risk. All applicants for permanent residency or asylum are checked against international security databases. Refugees in particular are verified through UNHCR and undergo additional security interviews. The system is designed to admit those fleeing violence and persecution, not to invite it.

• Screening is thorough: Unlike a casual visitor, anyone obtaining Canadian residence must pass criminal, medical and security checks (interviews, biometrics, etc.). Refugee claimants are also detained or supervised until approved. This is a far more stringent process than the average Canadian experiences when crossing a border, making it highly unlikely that serious threats slip through.

• Trends in terrorism: Statistical data show no surge in terrorism tied to immigrants. In fact, radicalization cases in Canada are very rare and usually involve Canadian-born individuals. Well-publicized attacks by individuals with immigration backgrounds are isolated incidents, not evidence of a pattern. In contrast, there have been cases of homegrown extremism (e.g. “lone wolves” and internet radicalization).

Real example: The October 2017 Quebec mosque shooting, often wrongly blamed on immigration, was perpetrated by a Canadian citizen of Scottish descent. That tragic act was carried out by someone without any recent immigrant background. Meanwhile, Canada has admitted tens of thousands of refugees from war zones, none of whom have carried out mass violence in Canada (in fact, refugee sponsorship success stories abound – like a Syrian family saved by volunteers, now fully integrated).

Canadians generally accept newcomers while trusting law enforcement. The decline in overall violent crime rates, even as immigration rose, suggests no connection between new residents and crime. Security experts agree that immigrants are typically more law-abiding than average citizens. When Canada needed more hospital staff during the pandemic, it relied on foreign-trained nurses and doctors – not something it would risk if it thought immigration was a security issue.

In conclusion, thorough vetting and community support keep Canada safe. The myth that immigrants are terrorists is false; on the contrary, Canada’s stable social environment and multiculturalism have made it a model for peaceful immigration.

Every myth above is contradicted by data and experience. Immigrants enhance Canada by filling jobs, paying taxes, enriching culture and starting businesses – and they do so while respecting laws and integrating into society. As one researcher summarized, when myths are stripped away, the evidence shows immigrants are “crucial to Canada’s growth and future”. The next time someone says “go back to your country,” remember the fact: Canada is made up of “your country” – in the sense that generations of immigrants built it, and future prosperity depends on them.

Sources: Statistics Canada census data; Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reports; peer-reviewed studies and reputable news (StatsCan; CPR; BDC; IRCC). These sources debunk the myths above with hard numbers. We have also cited the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards for real-life success examples. All citations are provided in the reference list format above.