In order to lower the number of foreign students admitted to the nation, the Canadian government plans to implement a nationwide cap.
In an interview with CTV’s Question Period on Sunday, Canada’s immigration minister, Marc Miller, stated that a meeting between the federal government and provincial governments is necessary “to ensure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis.”
Miller remarked, “That volume is disconcerting,” in relation to the quantity of foreign students enrolled in Canadian universities. “In actuality, the system has gotten out of hand.”
Prior to this, it was revealed that, as of January 1, 2024, Canada would be increasing the $10,000 “cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants,” which essentially refers to foreign students, to $20,000.
“The Canadian government has faced criticism for welcoming an increasing number of immigrants — both permanent and temporary residents — while the country faces an acute housing shortage,” Miller said in response to the new development.
According to recent reporting by The Canadian Press, which cites internal papers obtained through an access to information request, the government was alerted two years ago by employees of the government that its aggressive immigration plans might compromise the affordability of housing.
The Liberals have set goals to increase immigration by 485,000 this year and 500,000 in 2025 and 2026.
Another factor in the picture is temporary residents, of which migratory workers and overseas students make up the majority. In the third quarter of last year alone, almost 300,000 of them arrived in Canada.
In order to help lower the demand for accommodation, Miller stated he will be considering the possibility of imposing a cap on international students in both the first and second quarters of this year.
