OTTAWA (CP) - Canadians have become less tolerant of minority immigrants over the last two years despite good economic times, a government poll suggests.

But people are still far more tolerant than they were six years ago, according to the Immigration Department survey obtained by The Canadian Press.

The national poll, conducted by Ekos Research Associates between Jan. 20 and Feb. 2, found that 27 per cent of respondents believe too many visible minorities are being allowed into the country. That's up from 22 per cent in 1998.

Opposition to visible minority immigration began rising in 1998 following a steady decline since 1994 when it was at 40 per cent, a report on the survey said.

The results are puzzling because they don't mesh with the improving economic times - when people are typically more tolerant - said the report, prepared by Ekos for Immigration Minister Elinor Caplan.

The rise in intolerance to immigrants could be blamed on the arrival of the Chinese migrants on boats last summer, said David Matas, an immigration lawyer.

But it's harder to explain the results involving refugees.

The poll indicated nearly 50 per cent of Canadians believe there are too many refugees coming to Canada.

The findings suggest views of Canadians toward refugees hasn't changed much in the past decade.

Some 48 per cent of respondents said too many are refugees coming to Canada - the same result as a similar survey conducted in 1992.

Matas said Canada doesn't bring many refugees in and has had trouble meeting its targets for some years.

Last year, Canada was hoping to bring in up to 29,300 refugees, but it got only 21,900.

"We never did meet our targets," he said. "You can say there's too many human-rights violations in the world and there are too many refugees. . .

"It begs the question whether we are taking too many (refugees) in terms of our global responsibility, and I think the answer to that is no."

While the poll suggested Canadians' view of immigration in general is good, a government source says the change in attitudes toward visible minorities is troubling.

The survey report suggests racism and intolerance persist in Canadian society.

Respondents were asked how they felt about someone from a particular background moving into their neighbourhoods.

The results indicated neighbours from Britain and France made respondents feel better than neighbours from India, Somalia and Algeria.

The survey was conducted among 1,859 people across the country, and the results are considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.3 percentage points 95 percent of the time.

The survey results came as the department is putting the finishing touches on legislation to replace the outdated Immigration Act.

The overhaul is expected to focus on what can be done to close the back door to Canada.

That will likely please Canadians, the survey indicated.

Many more Canadians have become preoccupied with immigration enforcement over the past decade, the survey suggested.

Some 63 per cent of respondents said they worry that Canada's "reputation as a safe and law-abiding country will be jeopardized if we don't toughen our immigration enforcement."

A similar survey found in 1992 that only 35 per cent felt that way.

In addition, 50 per cent of respondents felt the immigration system is too lax and open, and 56 per cent felt the same about the refugee system.

In all, 69 and 71 per cent of respondents say it's high time for a "major rethink or adjustment" of the immigration and refugee system.

Respondents rated safety and security as the most important values guiding changes to immigration policies.

They also said the most important factors to be weighed in changing immigration laws are keeping out terrorists and undesirables, keeping out criminals, and removing those who commit serious crimes in Canada.

Those were rated higher than factors such as reuniting families, attracting high-skilled people and strengthening the economy.

Figures from the latest federal government poll on immigrants and refugees:

- 27 per cent of respondents said too many visible minorities being allowed into Canada. Up from 22 per cent in 1998, down from 40 per cent in 1994.

- 48 per cent felt too many refugees allowed in, same result as 1992 survey.

- 63 per cent worried Canada's reputation in jeopardy if immigration enforcement not tightened, up from 35 per cent in 1992.

- 56 per cent said refugee system too lax; 50 per cent felt immigration system too lax.

- 71 per cent said refugee system requires major rethinking or adjustment; 69 per cent felt same way about immigration system.

- 57 per cent dissatisfied with federal government's handling of immigration system.

© The Canadian Press, 2000