Majority of the Canadians are in favor of tougher immigration rules to curtail the flow of immigrants from other countries according to a survey.

The survey released by Forum Research revealed that 70% out of the 1,755 Canadians questioned in the survay, acknowledged the need of tougher immigration laws to slow down the immigration flow from other countries.

However, the survey also highlighted that Canadians want the government to allow the immigrants to bring their spouse and dependent children with them.

"It's interesting that the attitudes are not too different... To me, this is a very realistic thing," the National Post quoted Former Professor of Sociology at Western University Roderic Beaujot  as saying.

The survey was released weeks after the announcement of the number of immigration visas granted last year.

Jason Kenney, Canadian immigration minister said that students, visitors and immigrants from India, China and Philippines into the country hit a record high in 2012. China stands first while India and Philippines stand second and third respectively in the number of visas granted by the immigration department last year.

The department 2012 issued permanent residential status to 32,990 Chinese and 32,704 Philippines and 28,889 Indians according to a press release by Citizenship and Immigration Department of Canada March 4.

"We plan to grow the economy and create more jobs by attracting an increasing number of visitors and the world's best and brightest talent to Canada," said Jason Kenney in the release.

"For this reason, we strive to issue visas and permits as quickly as possible to facilitate travel for immigrants, visitors and students," added Jason Kenney.

While supporting tougher immigration law, Canadians said that immigrants should be allowed to keep dual citizenships.

"There is enthusiasm for controlled immigration of immediate families from countries with our values, and Canadians see no reason why immigrants can't hold on to their previous nationality," Lorne Bozinoff, the president and founder of Forum Research told the National Post. 

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