This decisive action will have profound implications for various stakeholders in the country, particularly impacting colleges operating under curriculum licensing agreements with public colleges. Starting from September 2024, graduates from these programs will be ineligible for the post-graduate work program.
Provinces and territories will be allocated a cap proportionate to their populations, with urban metropolitan areas, notably the Greater Toronto Area, facing the most significant impact. The government emphasized that proportional caps would lead to more substantial decreases in provinces experiencing unsustainable growth in the international student population.
The number of international students in Canada has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, surpassing 800,000 in 2022, which is nearly one-third more than the previous year.
The temporary cap, aimed at reverting to 2022 levels, will be in effect for two years initially and will not apply to students enrolled in master’s and PhD programs. Existing study permit holders will not be affected.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed concern about some private institutions taking advantage of international students through under-resourced campuses, lack of student support, and high tuition fees.
Ontario is anticipated to be the most affected province, with student numbers predicted to decline by up to 50%, according to ministers.
Starting from January 22, 2024, the date of the cap announcement, every study permit application submitted to IRCC will require an attestation letter from a province or territory.
The government stated its intention to reassess the number of study permit applications accepted in 2025, following collaboration with provinces and institutions to develop a "sustainable" path forward for international students.
Ottawa also introduced changes to the post-graduation work permit program, excluding students at public-private colleges from the visa. However, master’s graduates will be eligible to apply for a three-year work permit extension.
While advocacy bodies in the international education sector welcome the crackdown on "bad actors," concerns have been raised about potential harm to Canada's global reputation and the financial sustainability of its institutions.
Colleges and Institutes Canada cautioned that the overall cap could lead to layoffs, closures, and increased tuition fees, affecting both Canadian and international students. Graham Barber, Assistant Director of International Relations at Universities Canada, expressed concerns about the drastic and somewhat reactionary nature of the overall cap, emphasizing the desire of universities to welcome people on their campuses.
Despite these concerns, some argue that the move is overdue, given growing worries about international student welfare and housing shortages.
Student immigration consultant Earl Blaney remarked, "In the months and years that follow, hopefully Brand Canada can be restored, but the damage that has been done to international students and the industry should not be easily forgotten."
