“Canada bolsters education due to surging foreign student demand, straining labor and housing.”

CURRENT REPORT BLOG The Canadian government is taking steps to impose stricter standards on colleges in response to concerns that the education sector is using international students to create pressure on housing and the labor market. According to Bloomberg, starting in fall 2024, universities and colleges will be required to meet higher standards for services, support, and outcomes for international students. Schools meeting these standards will receive priority in processing student visas, with housing considerations included. Additionally, institutions must verify each applicant’s acceptance directly with the Canadian government, and the post-graduate work permit program will be reviewed to better align with labor market needs.

The move is prompted by growing worries that Canadian educational institutions rely heavily on international students for funding. These students pay significantly higher tuition fees than domestic students, leading to a surge in their numbers. The international education sector contributes over C$22 billion ($16 billion) to the Canadian economy annually and supports more than 200,000 jobs, making it a critical aspect of the country’s economic landscape, according to Bloomberg.