Studying in Canada is a dream for many students around the world. It is the assurance of quality higher education and a lively student life, the possibility of approaching studies and the world of work differently… Yes, but everything has an end.
An official estimate indicates that more than a million foreign students are established in Canada. The “rapid” increase in their number “puts pressure on housing”. The sector is experiencing a real crisis in Canada and is hitting all regions of the country, but also “health care and other services” in certain provinces, explained Immigration Minister Marc Miller, deploring without naming them the “ little diversity” of the countries from which the students come. In Canada, the population crossed the 40 million mark in June.
A drop of 35% compared to last year
Also, the country announced on Monday the establishment of a cap on permits for foreign students whose number has exploded in recent years, accentuating the housing crisis according to the government. “To ensure that there is no further growth in the number of international students in Canada in 2024, we are setting a national cap on applications for a period of two years,” said Minister Marc Miller. In 2024, Canada therefore plans to grant 364,000 international study permits, which represents a drop of 35% compared to last year.
The cap will only apply to new permit applications and international students already registered in Canadian universities will not be affected, assured the government of Justin Trudeau, which works with the provinces, in charge of the education system, to apply the ceiling. “Today’s announcement aims to protect a system that has opened the door to abuse and support sustainable population growth in Canada,” continued Marc Miller.
This cap also aims to prevent certain private schools from taking advantage of the system. “Private institutions have taken advantage of international students by operating under-resourced campuses and charging high tuition fees, while dramatically increasing the number of international students they enroll,” said Marc Miller.
Under the new system, Ontario and British Columbia – which have many universities in Toronto and Vancouver – are expected to welcome fewer international students, unlike Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan.