Canadian Politics

A09(a) - Public opinion, media and immigration

Date: Jun 4 | Time: 08:30am to 10:00am | Location:

Chair/Président/Présidente : Antoine Bilodeau (Concordia University)

Discussant/Commentateur/Commentatrice : Antoine Bilodeau (Concordia University)

New expressions of public opinion on immigration: Measuring comments about immigration on Canadian online legacy media: Claire Lillow (University of Guelph), Edward Koning (University of Guelph)
Abstract: This paper reports the results from a systematic study of online comments on 330 articles about immigration that appeared in 2023 on the websites of the Globe and Mail, the National Post, and the CBC. This investigation aims to make three contributions. First, it aims to contribute to the literature on the measurement of public opinion about immigration, which predominantly relies on surveys. While investigating public opinion as expressed in online comments has its shortcomings, it avoids notorious challenges in survey research related to non-attitudes and reactivity. Second, it aims to contribute to the literature on digital democracy, which at least initially saw the internet as a promising venue for encouraging deliberative democratic practice on contentious issues. By measuring the extent to which commenters respond to other commenters, our findings cast partial light on the validity of this expectation. Third, it aims to contribute to the literature on the importance of media framing in shaping public opinion about immigration. Most existing studies have conceptualized frames in a way that does not distinguish explicitly between the tone of the frame (i.e. whether it mostly casts immigration in a positive or negative light) and the subject of the frame (i.e. whether it mostly discusses immigration in terms of its relationship with culture, the economy, or public order). This paper considers these components separately and is therefore able to analyze the independent effect of each.

Two Sides of the Same Coin: Understanding the Perception of Immigrants' Political Participation in Canada: Joanie Bouchard (Université de Sherbrooke), Marie-Claude Piet (Université de Sherbrooke)
Abstract: The fact that Canada boasts the highest proportion of foreign-born residents among G7 nations has profound implications for the country's political landscape. While immigration remains a contentious issue, with some Canadians expressing skepticism about newcomers' integration, research consistently shows that immigrants who feel welcomed are more likely to actively take part in the democratic process and trust political institutions. This presentation delves into the dynamics of immigrants' political participation, offering an exploration of perceptions from both recent immigrants and individuals who were born in Canada. Drawing on two original studies, we present an analysis that bridges qualitative and quantitative methodologies to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the political participation of immigrants is perceived in Canada. Our first study features semi-structured interviews with recent immigrants, uncovering their understanding of political engagement and the resources they perceive as available to them. This qualitative approach reveals the intricate ways in which newcomers navigate and interpret Canada's political system, shedding light on both barriers and opportunities for their involvement. Complementing this perspective, our second study utilizes quantitative data to examine how individuals born in Canada respond to immigrants' political advocacy and demands. By analyzing reactions to various forms of immigrant political expression, we gain insight into the potential for both solidarity and resistance within the broader Canadian public. Together, these studies offer a holistic view of immigrants' political participation, illuminating the interplay between newcomers' apprehensions and aspirations for civic engagement as well as the receptiveness of the host society. By exploring these "two sides of the same coin," our findings contribute to the ongoing debate about political engagement in an increasingly diverse nation.

Immigration Narratives During a Housing Crisis: Nicholas Fraser (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Abstract: Has the recent housing crisis changed how Canadians talk about immigration? At at time when Canadians’ support for immigration seems to be dropping due in part to high costs and a shortage of affordable housing, few studies have examined whether narratives surrounding immigration have changed. Do Canadians think differently about immigration now than before the housing crisis? While many politicians, pundits, and scholars are beginning to look at polls, we know less about the stories Canadians are telling themselves about how immigration impacts their lives and Canada more broadly. I address these issues by looking at Canadian social media narratives surrounding immigration on Twitter/X before and after the Trudeau government blamed recent housing crisis on immigration. This study involves exploratory quantitative topic modeling, before and after Sean Fraser publicly blamed Canada’s housing crisis on international students on August 23, 2023. In so doing, this study offers new insights into Canadians’ immigration attitudes.