British Columbia

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In line with the cap on study permits announced by IRCC, the British Columbia government issued guidelines in July 2024 by which they further capped the number of international students that post-secondary institutions can enroll to 30% of their total enrollment.  This cap is expected to impact private universities who are more dependent on international students for financial viability.  Public universities and colleges generally do not accept more than 30% international students every year so the impact will be less on them.  These institutions will have to submit international education strategy plans to the government which will also monitor the compliance with the cap.  New post-secondary institutions in British Columbia are already banned from enrolling international students for two years.  

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Ontario

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The Ontario Government has also announced that it will prioritize the public post-secondary programs that help prepare graduates for jobs in high demand sectors to support Ontario's labor market needs.  The government will allocate 96% of the study permit applications to publicly assisted colleges and universities and just 4% to language schools, private universities and other institutes.  The high-demand areas that will be given priority are skilled trades, health, human resources, STEM, hospitality and childcare.  The guidelines also emphasize that international student enrollment levels cannot exceed the 2023 levels and a maximum of 55% of domestic enrollments for 2023.

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Alberta

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The province of Alberta has one of the lowest proportions of international student enrollments amongst all provinces at just 11.5% compared to British Columbia at 24% and Ontario at 16%.  Alberta is expected to increase its enrollment by 10% over last year from 22,306 to 24,537.

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Saskatchewan

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The Saskatchewan government has temporarily stopped accepting any new applications for designation in the Saskatchewan International Student Program.  This program will start accepting applications from January 2026.

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Manitoba

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​The Manitoba Government has also announced that the PAL’s will be issued by the universities in the province and not by the government.

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SHORT-TERM IMPACT

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1. Increased Competition:  Provinces like Ontario and British Columbia will see more competition among institutions which may raise admission standards, making it harder to secure an offer letter.  Ontario will see a 55% reduction in study permit approvals.  This will lead to a stiff competition for fewer seats for international students. British Columbia is stopping all new accreditations for institutions enrolling international students and increasing inspections to ensure quality education.  This guarantees high quality education while restricting choice.  Nova Scotia is capping tuition fees and boosting university funding to enhance student support and housing.

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2.  Administrative Bottlenecks:  There could be delays or rejections for students who have already applied to institutions which could force students to look at other countries.

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3.  Disqualification of Private College Graduates:  Students enrolled or applying to certain private colleges will need to have clarity about the admission process or focus more on applying to public institutions as many private colleges may be barred from enrolling international students as provinces prioritize publicly funded institutions for the allocation of study permits.

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4.  Restriction on Spouse Work Permits:  Students looking to move to Canada with their families will need to reconsider their plans due to the new restrictions on spousal work permits.  

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5.  Increased financial strain:  The higher GIC requirement will impose a financial constraint on incoming international students which is likely to reduce the number of applications from many countries.  

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LONG-TERM IMPACTS:

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1.  Diversification of smaller provinces:  Over the next few years, less popular provinces like Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Manitoba might become more appealing to international students as they increase their capacity for international students.  This may also result in more quality institutes opening in these provinces.  

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2.  Improvement in Education Quality:  In the coming years, the focus on maintaining high educational standards and increased inspection of institutions will result in improved teaching quality. Private colleges that lose eligibility for postgraduate work permits may experience a decline in enrollments leading to financial difficulties and eventual closures.  

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3.  Re-evaluation of policies:  The restrictions on spouse work permits  might require Canada to reassess and revise its policies to attract international students who plan to move with their families, thereby balancing the need for skilled students with family support.  

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4.  Improved Infrastructure:  The reduction in international students will reduce the pressure on housing and healthcare systems and allow for improvements and better support for current and future students.   The slower growth rate of international student admissions will help Canada build the required infrastructure and enhance the overall student experience. 

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