Canadian Exceptionalism: Are we good, or are we lucky?

Abstract

Given the relative lack of conflict over immigration that the Canadian political system has experienced, Canadian attitudes are often assumed to be unusually pro-immigration. However, levels of support for immigration and evaluations of the impact of immigration on society are unexceptional when compared to a large sample countries (including the US and many European countries). Whatever is driving Canada's exceptionally positive history of immigration and integration over the last half century, it does not appear to be an exceptionally tolerant public.