More than a year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted an open border invitation to refugees, a two-thirds of voters believe the country faces an immigration “crisis,” says a new Angus Reid Institute poll.
Asked their views on “irregular border crossers,” a majority – 67 percent – of Canadians define the situation created by a massive surge in illegal aliens from the U.S. and an almost equal number lack faith in the government to handle the surge.
The sentiment is shared by those of all political stripes. On the question whether “too many” illegal immigrants have been given entry to the country, 65 percent of Conservative Party voters say yes, while more than half those who identified as Liberal and New Democratic party agreed.
Furthermore, the number of Canadians who feel their government has been too “generous” to illegal aliens increased from 53 percent last year in September 2017 to 58 percent in the recent poll.
Despite the myth created in the media that Canadians want wide open borders, the poll found most Canadians reflect the position held by their American cousins that a priority placed on border monitoring and security (78 percent) than on “accommodating” new immigrants (50 percent).
And like leftist politicians in the United States, Trudeau did not consider the consequences of publicly promoting his open-door vision, primarily the financial and security costs to his countrymen.
Since January 2017, nearly 30,000 illegal aliens have attempted to cross the U.S.-Canadian border. So far in 2018, there have been 3,082 illegal immigrants apprehended at the border, compared with 2,950 who entered via legal means.
According to recently released figures from the Parliamentary Budget Office, in the last year and a half, the Canadian government spent more than $270 million on illegal border crossers.
The Canada Border Services Agency spent $54.5 million Canadian dollars between April 2017 and June 2018, while the Immigration Department spent over $117 million.
And that does not include the costs of food and housing for illegal immigrants.
Particularly hard hit is the province of Ontario, where a large number of immigrants reside, according to Statistics Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has demanded Trudeau grant his request of $200 million to pay for costs, including health and education, he says ae owed to the province.
Toronto Mayor John Tory also appealed to Trudeau to help pay for the $74 million in shelter costs he estimates the city has amassed.
“We just don’t have the resources to do it alone,” Tory said.
As the backlash escalates, maybe Justin Trudeau will realize that often it is better to be seen and not heard.