Ontario’s Decline in Foreign Student Permits Smaller Than Expected as IRCC Adjusts Allocations
Ontario, renowned as Canada’s top destination for international students, is poised to experience a lesser decrease in new study permits than initially projected. Recent government estimates indicate a 41% reduction in study permits compared to 2023 levels, diverging from the earlier forecast of a 50% decline announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration in January. Ontario’s shares comes to 141000 down from 235000.
The allocation of permits was initially based on population figures; however, adjustments have been made by the government. Provinces anticipating a decrease in foreign student intake have had their allocations tweaked to mitigate the immediate impact and align with broader regional immigration objectives.
Conversely, provinces expecting an increase in international student enrollment have had their growth capped at 10%. This move aims to maintain stability in the overall number of international students across the country for the current year.
The anticipated decrease in new postsecondary study permits in Canada for programs subject to the new limits, excluding master’s and doctoral degrees, is estimated at 28% from 2023 levels. This translates to approximately 290,000 new students arriving in Canada in 2024 under the imposed cap.
According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, the national cap is designed to balance the influx of new international students with the number of expired permits, thus keeping the overall figures consistent.
Jeff Zabudsky, President of the British Columbia Institute of Technology, sees the cap as an opportunity for provinces like British Columbia to strategically channel international students into programs aligned with workforce demands, such as healthcare and trades. Zabudsky emphasized the potential to attract more international students while steering them towards fields essential to the local economy.
Before the implementation of the cap, Zabudsky noted a trend where international students would apply to various Canadian institutions without regard to workforce needs. He highlighted that BCIT’s student body comprises 90% domestic students and 10% international students, underscoring the institute’s role in fostering a diverse learning environment.