Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, disclosed plans to implement a national cap on the intake of international students into the country.
The minister stated this in an interview on CTV’s Question Period.
Miller emphasized the need for discussions with provincial governments to address the “disconcerting” volume of international students, stating that the system had become “out of control.”
The move comes after Canada raised the “cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants,” impacting international students, from $10,000 to $20,000 starting January 1, 2024.
Miller acknowledged the criticism faced by the Canadian government for the surge in both permanent and temporary residents amid a housing shortage.
Internal documents obtained by The Canadian Press revealed warnings from public servants two years ago that ambitious immigration targets could jeopardize housing affordability.
The government aims to bring in 485,000 immigrants in 2024, with targets of 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.
Miller indicated that a potential cap on international students would be explored in the first and second quarters of the year to address housing demand.
He emphasized the need for federal-level discussions before delving into specifics at the provincial level and considering the impact on academic institutions profiting from increased international student enrollments.
While housing is a concern, Miller highlighted that a cap on international students wouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all solution and that workforce demographics, particularly reducing the average age, must also be considered.
The federal government is actively considering a cap on international students, with discussions ongoing around negotiating tables with provincial counterparts and taking into account the financial needs of academic institutions.