Canada has imposed a maximum duration of two years on permits for foreign students and has announced it will also stop issuing work permits to some graduate students in an effort to reduce the record numbers of newcomers, which are considered one of the reasons for the housing crisis. According to the new cap, Canada is expected to grant about 360,000 study permits in 2024, roughly 35% less than last year, according to a statement from the Ministry of Immigration.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that the federal government will work with the provinces overseeing the education system to implement this cap. Miller explained that the main reason for this action is to protect students attending private schools that offer below-expected services at high costs, but the move also aims to alleviate pressure on housing and services. He told reporters, "Some private institutions have exploited foreign students by running unqualified facilities and charging high tuition fees without providing adequate support to students, while simultaneously increasing the number of foreign students they admit."
He added, "This increase also places pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services." Miller also predicted that the decrease in the number of foreign students would help ease rental prices. The rapid population growth driven by immigration has put pressure on services such as healthcare and education, contributing to rising housing costs. These issues have affected the popularity of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, a member of the Liberal Party, as polls indicate he would lose the elections if held now. In the third quarter of last year, the population grew at its fastest pace in over six decades, with an increase of 312,758 non-permanent residents, mostly students, marking the largest increase in over five decades.
