Canada to set a cap on international students amid housing crisis, fix ‘out of control’ system.

According to Marc Miller, the 800,000 students that the system currently admits each year were not intended to be a money maker for schools and universities.

According to Canada’s Immigration Minister Marc Miller, measures are being considered to manage the “out-of-control” system for Canada international students.

Exploring Limits on Canada International Students

Over the coming months, Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he would look at the possibility of limiting the number of Canada international students living in Canada. However, he did not disclose the precise scope of the government’s intended reduction. 

Federal-Provincial Agreements on Student Numbers

In order to guarantee that the provinces that have been neglecting their responsibilities genuinely control such figures based solely on volume, agreements between the federal and provincial governments are required. 

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.”

Impact of Immigration Policy on Housing Crisis

Although there is a severe housing crisis in the nation, the federal government has come under fire for accepting a rising number of immigrants, both temporary and permanent residents.

Future Immigration Targets

The Liberals want to see 485,000 more immigrants entering the country this year, and 500,000 more in 2025 and 2026.

Temporary residents, the majority of whom are foreign students and migrant laborers, are another aspect in the picture. In the third quarter of last year alone, almost 300,000 of them arrived in Canada.

Consideration of Cap on canada International Students

To help lower the demand for accommodation, Miller stated he will be considering the possibility of imposing a cap on Canada international students in both the first and second quarters of this year.

Financial Capability and Immigration

Miller stated, “We need to be carrying out our responsibilities and ensuring that we have a system that genuinely ensures people have the financial capability to come to Canada”. He emphasized the importance of verifying offer letters and initiating a conversation about volumes and their impact on certain areas.

Challenges of Implementing a Student Cap

Miller clarified that a cap on Canada international students would not serve as a “one-size-fits-all solution” to housing shortages across Canada. He recognized the intricacy of the problem and the variations in conditions among the provinces.

Broader Immigration Considerations

Addressing concerns about the imbalance between the increasing number of Canada international students and the government’s housing initiatives, Miller underscored the broader considerations involved in immigration targets. One important point he brought up was the urgent need to reduce the average age of the workforce.

Immigration Targets Amidst Housing Shortage 

Last year, Canada decided to maintain its current immigration targets for the next two years, because of the acute housing shortage and growing inflation, with the intention of ceasing further immigration increases in 2026.

Universities Canada added that any program modifications should be made carefully by the government.

“Canada International students bring important knowledge, diversity, and skills to our campuses and workforce, and we must continue to welcome them to study at Canadian universities,” the association said in a statement. “Any modifications to the international student program’s policies should prevent unforeseen consequences that could harm universities that have shown a commitment to sustainable and responsible growth.”

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