International students in Canada

[21] Although Canada aims to capture the economic benefits of its knowledge-based economy by providing education to international students, it faces challenges in delivering the necessary services ethically and becoming a transformative leader.

[24] By 2022, the Canadian government reported that the annual economic contribution of international students had increased to $22.3 billion, greater than exports of auto parts, lumber or aircraft.

[34][35] Experts find a concerning trend wherein a significant portion of students from overseas are drawn to generic post-secondary programs, despite limited job prospects in those fields.

This constrains their ability to secure full-status employment, making them undesirable and under-qualified for respective job positions and unable to obtain the necessary professional licenses for their field.

[36][37] Certain provincial governments, such as Ontario, are urging colleges to refocus on their core mission of providing post-secondary education and training that meets the needs of Canadians and supports the economic and social growth of their local communities.

Data examined from 2018 to 2023 shows that Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approved over 776,000 permits for students enrolling in programs categorized as "business/commerce" or "business management, marketing, and related support services," far surpassing those in in-demand academic fields.

The Minister responsible for IRCC in 2024 expressed disappointment in the provinces' failure to ensure that colleges and universities offer competent, employment-focused educational programs aligned with the job market.

The absence of coordinated federal oversight to regulate the enrollment of international students in tertiary programs has not only worsened this issue but, per experts, also underscores the need for more cohesive and effective involvement in strategic planning and governance in the education sector.

The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship plan for 2019-2020 aimed to primarily export Western values and import new ideas by offering educational opportunities to international students.

As part of addressing these unsustainable changes and the lack of capacity to accommodate explosive population growth, IRCC announced in 2024 that it would no longer support the eligibility of a post-graduation work permit upon graduation from an institute operating under a curriculum licensing arrangement, among other strategic decisions.

Secondly, they assert that the government exploited them by promoting Canada as a destination for investment, signaling that the international student visa program is a pathway to residency, citizenship, and Canadian employment.

A refugee specialist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, added that furnishing further details such as sexual orientation, difference in political opinion, and the risk of gender or domestic violence, would make their case stronger.

These relaxed and added benefits would be available to individuals who engage in specific short-term studies, spanning one to two years, at colleges and diploma mills in areas where Canada needs to build a strong service sector and a second-class citizen workforce.

This approach makes the already fuzzy definition of the transient visa category even fuzzier and strongly signals that seeking international education in Canada is a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship.

Additionally, the plan highlights the lack of the liberal government's consistent interest in empowering Canadian students or unemployed citizens registered with employment agencies to enter these job sectors through subsidized and quality education.

[59][60][61][62][63][64] In September 2024, the government announced new regulations, effective from November 2024, to align with international education standards in other English-speaking countries and to emphasize a renewed political focus on serving Canadians after consecutive by-election losses.

The regulations state that students starting their studies after November 2024 in programs not related to occupations facing long-term shortages in Canada will no longer be eligible for post-graduate work permits.

However, provincial college representatives, international student advocates, and educational agencies strongly oppose the changes, arguing that they are economically unfair and detrimental to those who came seeking residency.

The list of long-term skill shortages is also lenient, supporting community colleges that offer short-term programs to international students leading to insecure, low-paying jobs.

These gradual and delayed changes aim to curtail bad actors in the sector while pushing educational institutions to revise their strategies to better support Canada's national and regional growth goals.

Some observers note that this shift in government policy is not solely due to current challenges but reflects a long-term plan that began with a $148 million EduCanada campaign launched in 2016, which officially ended in 2024.

[72] For some years, the economic motive was disguised using efficient public relations, the respective authorities claimed that the changes were made to promote cultural diversity and make Canada a more inclusive destination.

[12][73][74] The expanded prospects for profit and reduced oversight have heightened the economic interests of universities and colleges, resulting in a multitude of ethical issues, including increased collaborations with private institutions.

[78][79][80][81] Canadian magazine The Walrus published an investigative piece in 2021 which looked at potential exploitation faced by international students in Canada due to difficulties meeting their financial needs.

[87] Lawyer Mario D. Bellissimo provided a legal analysis in an interview with CBC Radio's The Current, highlighting limitations and proposing changes to the international student system.

[92][93] The Vancouver Sun reported open presence of street hawkers in Western Canada offering immigration services to desperate individuals seeking permanent residency.

[94] Shady agreements involving spousal jobs as a pathway to permanent residency have also resulted in an unexpected increase in the number of dependents accompanying international students to Canada, as per the immigration statistics.

[96][97][98] Some immigration specialists raise concerns that the unrestricted granting of student visas in Canada could lead to a difficult situation similar to that faced by Germany and the United States.

Renters, who typically have lower incomes, struggle to find affordable housing and jobs due to competition with foreign students, leading them to forced relocations from their hometowns.

They are not obliged to provide bank statements to prove their primary intent was to study rather than work, demonstrate full payment of fees, or submit the required proof of fixed deposit and its source for their means of stay.