The Council of Ontario Universities says the newly announced cap on international student admissions is unfairly punishing responsible institutions alongside bad actors in the post-secondary sector.
Steve Orsini, president and CEO of the organization, is calling on the federal government to reverse its decision to cap the number of new study permits it issues over the next two years.
He says many universities are already in perilous financial situations and capping international student enrolment will add more strain on their budgets.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced new limits to the international student program Monday, including a 35 per cent reduction in the number of study permits it issues this year.
International students enrich our communities - but we have an obligation to ensure that they have access to the resources they need to succeed in Canada. We will continue to implement reforms to ensure the integrity of the program and uphold the academic experience in Canada.
— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ (@MarcMillerVM) January 22, 2024
The cap comes in response to a recent surge in international students and concerns that some institutions are relying on international enrolments to boost revenues, without offering necessary housing or a quality education.
Orsini says the federal government should take a more careful approach and go after institutions that are not taking in international students responsibly.
