Canada Sets Two-Year Cap on International Students
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The Canadian federal government has announced a two-year cap on the number of study permits issued to international students to address housing and healthcare challenges.
This move aims to reduce the pressure on infrastructure and ensure the integrity of the immigration system.
Decrease in Study Permits in Canada in Year 2024
Canada plans to decrease the number of approved study permits by 35%, limiting the total to approximately 360,000 in 2024.
This comes in response to the surge in international students, which saw over 800,000 in Canada in 2022, a significant increase from 214,000 a decade earlier.
Allocation and Distribution of International Students in Canada
Each province and territory will receive a portion of the study permit cap, determined by population and current student intake.
The provinces will then decide how to distribute these permits to universities and colleges.
Notably, the cap only applies to students at the diploma or undergraduate level and does not impact permit renewals.
Quality of Education Concerns
To enhance the quality of education, the government will no longer grant work permits to students graduating from colleges operating under a public-private partnership model, predominantly found in Ontario.
This decision addresses concerns about under-resourced campuses, lack of student support, high tuition fees, and increased intake of international students by some private institutions.
Housing Crisis and Economic Pressures
The announcement coincides with the Canadian government facing pressure to tackle an increasingly unaffordable housing market.
Home prices average C$750,000, and Canadian rent has risen 22% in the last two years.
Some economists attribute housing unaffordability to a spike in immigration, reflecting the country’s unprecedented population growth.
Population Growth and Housing Challenges
Canada’s population grew by over a million in 2022, reaching a record of 40 million. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation estimates a need for 3.5 million more housing units by 2030.
While population growth is a factor, experts point to other pressures, including high-interest rates, inflation, and supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Shift in Immigration Policy
The cap represents a notable policy shift for Canada, which has historically relied on open immigration to fill job vacancies and address its ageing workforce.
The move has raised concerns from Canadian universities, with potential impacts on the learning environment and financial implications for domestic students.
University Concerns and Response
Universities Canada, representing post-secondary institutions, welcomes excluding post-graduate students from the cap but expresses concern about added stress on an already-stressed system.
There are worries that these measures might discourage students from choosing Canada, potentially leading them to study elsewhere.
Institutional Perspectives
Some university leaders, such as the president of McMaster University, express concerns about the potential loss of international students.
They argue that international student tuition helps offset costs for domestic students and that a cap on international students could reduce the number of students admitted.
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Conclusion
Canada’s decision to cap international student admissions reflects a multifaceted approach to addressing housing challenges, ensuring educational quality, and managing economic pressures associated with population growth.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
Q1: Why is Canada implementing a two-year cap on study permits for international students?
A1: To address housing and healthcare pressures, Canada aims to reduce the number of study permits, maintaining system integrity.
Q2: How will the cap impact international students already in Canada?
A2: The cap only affects new diploma and undergraduate students, not those renewing study permits.
Q3: What concerns do Canadian universities have about the cap on international students?
A3: Universities fear added stress on the system and potential deterrence for students, impacting the learning environment and financial aspects.