In recent years, Canada has emerged as a highly sought-after destination for international students seeking quality education and future opportunities.
However, the surge in the number of international students has prompted discussions about its impact on Canada's housing affordability crisis leading to the federal government's consideration of imposing a cap on international student admissions, seeing that Canada hosted more than 800,000 international students last year, according to the government's figures. This has raised concerns and garnered mixed reactions from various stakeholders.
On August 21, 2023, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s new cabinet had a three-day retreat in Charlottetown, where the prime minister promised housing affordability solutions and defended Canada's immigration numbers.
Speaking after the cabinet retreat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau highlighted that it would be wrong to single out international students as the cause of Canada’s housing crisis.
“We have to be very careful. Over the past years, we’ve seen a lot of different people and a lot of different groups blamed for the housing crisis. At one point it was foreign homebuyers. At another point it was developers being super aggressive. Another point was under-investments by various orders of government. Now it’s people saying, ‘Oh, it’s international students,’” Trudeau said.
“Yes, there’s a lot of different factors that go into this housing crisis. But it’s something that has been brewing and developing over the past number of decades.” (Source: Global News)
Implications of a Cap on International Students
Housing Minister Sean Fraser's suggestion that Ottawa consider a cap on the number of international students aims to address housing affordability concerns.
"I think that's one of the options that we ought to consider," federal Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities Minister Sean Fraser told reporters as the Liberal cabinet gathered in Charlottetown on Monday. (Source: CBC News)
However, critics argue that restricting the entry of international students may not effectively alleviate the housing crisis. The focus should be on a comprehensive approach that addresses housing supply, affordability, and the broader economic impact of the real estate sector.
But, Canadian Universities are fighting back against the cap. Now here's why
Major Change Coming Soon: Canada to “modernize” student visa program with Trusted Institution framework
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) plans to implement a Trusted Institution framework by 2024 to modernize the International Student Program (ISP). While specific details are currently limited, the fundamental idea revolves around evaluating post-secondary institutions based on criteria showcasing their reliability as partners. This includes their ability to maintain sustainable enrolment, accurately identify legitimate students, effectively monitor and report their compliance, and ensure a secure and enriching environment for international students.
Every Canadian institution that welcomes international students must be categorized as a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). This indicates that they have the approval of their respective provincial or territorial government to host international students. Furthermore, international students are required to possess an acceptance letter from a DLI in order to apply for a Canadian study permit. The upcoming framework from IRCC will essentially create a hierarchical system within Canada's Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), categorizing some as Trusted Institutions and leaving others outside this classification.
Despite all the proposed changes and caps, there will still be opportunities for international students in Canada who meet the requirements and have all it takes to study in Canada.
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