Immigration Minister Marc Miller has hinted at the possibility of the federal government imposing a cap on the number of study permits issued, expressing concerns about the high volume that he believes has become unmanageable.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has hinted at the possibility of the federal government imposing a cap on the number of study permits issued, expressing concerns about the high volume that he believes has become unmanageable.
Canadian postsecondary institutions caution against the negative consequences of a federal cap on international student visas. They argue that such limitations could adversely impact financially strained institutions and harm Canada’s reputation as a preferred study destination.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently announced a cap on the number of study permits issued, expressing concerns about the high volume that he believes has become unmanageable.
This is the second time, following Aug. 2023, that Miller has mentioned such a measure, though specific details are yet to be provided by Ottawa.
Concerns, criticism
Interim president of Universities Canada, Philip Landon has cautioned the government against implementing a one-size-fits-all approach to a potential visa cap on international students.
In 2022, there were over 800,000 international students in Canada, and the government had anticipated the number to surpass 900,000 in 2023.
The study-permit program has faced criticism due to the influx of international students contributing to housing challenges in certain regions, including the Greater Toronto Area. Minister Miller has likened some institutions to “puppy mills,” suggesting a subpar educational experience.
Landon noted that the federal government seems more concerned about private colleges than universities this time, aiming to develop mechanisms to address the growth in the private college sector.
He emphasized that while universities have experienced substantial increases in international student numbers, the growth has been steady rather than explosive.
Attracting global talent
“Canada needs to continue to attract talent from around the world. It’s really important that there’s responsible growth and that we don’t put a chill on international students coming,” said Landon.
Universities are still advocating for the implementation of a trusted institutions framework, which would recognize schools with a positive track record regarding international students and expedite their study-permit applications.
The government had previously indicated its intention to have a trusted institutions framework in place for the fall 2024 semester. Bahoz Dara Aziz, a spokesperson for Miller, stated that discussions and negotiations regarding the trusted institutions framework are ongoing with provincial governments.
Positive impact
Colleges and Institutes Canada, the organization representing publicly-funded colleges, emphasized the positive impacts of international student growth, including a substantial annual contribution of CAD $22 billion (approximately $16.4 billion) to the Canadian economy.
Michael Sangster, CEO of the National Association of Career Colleges, expressed the belief that private institutions, including those he represents, are not the root of the issue.
Sangster expressed appreciation for the minister’s focus on meeting labor force needs through international student recruitment, emphasizing their institutions’ strengths in skilled trades, personal support workers, truck drivers, and logistics.
Avoiding short-term solutions
Larissa Bezo, President of the Canadian Bureau for International Education, emphasized the need for Ottawa to steer clear of “simplistic, short-term solutions” that could harm Canada’s reputation as a welcoming and attractive destination for international students.
While acknowledging the oversaturation of students in certain regions, Bezo acknowledged that there are other areas in the country with the capacity to grow and a willingness to welcome more students. She expressed concern that implementing a cap could trigger unhealthy competition among provinces and institutions.
Federal government officials reportedly cautioned Canada about the immediate consequences of heightened immigration on housing affordability two years ago.
Internal records, obtained by The Canadian Press through CBC News, disclose that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada scrutinized the economic ramifications of immigration, specifically its impact on housing and services, in preparation for immigration targets spanning from 2023 to 2025.
The assessment, shared with the deputy minister in 2022, underscored a noticeable mismatch between the surge in population and the inadequate availability of housing.
As Canada undergoes population growth primarily fueled by immigration, the construction of housing has failed to match the pace, intensifying challenges related to affordability.
Despite these warnings, the federal government decided to increase the annual intake of permanent residents to 500,000 by 2025, nearly doubling the number from 2015.
Decline in application from Indian students
A recent report has highlighted a marked decrease in study permit applications from Indian students, attributing this trend to the rising cost of living and housing crisis in Canada, coupled with a challenging job market. This development raises concerns about the impact on Canadian educational institutions and the broader economy.
Apply Board, a Waterloo-based technology company that assists international students with applications for post-secondary studies abroad, has reported a 40 percent decline in applications from Indian students. This drop is particularly evident in the period from July to October 2022, during which the Canadian government processed nearly 146,000 new study permit applications from India.
In stark contrast, fewer than 87,000 applications were processed in the same period in 2023. This reduction is indicative of changing perceptions and realities for Indian students considering Canada for their higher education.
