Canadian Government Underestimates Cost of Living for International Students, Survey Suggests
A new survey conducted by the Daily Bread food bank indicates that the Canadian government may be significantly underestimating the cost of living for international students. The survey, released on Wednesday, reveals that the estimated living expenses used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada during the application process are nearly half of what a student in Toronto typically spends.
When applying for a study permit, prospective international students must provide “proof of financial support” to demonstrate that they can support themselves in Canada. Currently, applicants are required to show $10,000 on top of their tuition fees, which amounts to $833 per month. If a student plans to bring a family member, they must also show an additional $4,000, or $333 per month. The survey of 180 international students who visit Toronto food banks found that these figures do not accurately reflect the actual living expenses students face.
The survey report states, “In contrast, when we asked survey respondents how much they were spending per month on living expenses, excluding tuition, they reported an average of $1,517, which is close to double what the Government of Canada advertised as the cost of living.” The report also highlights that Canada is more expensive than many international students anticipated, particularly in terms of housing and food.
The survey suggests that the government has not updated its estimated cost of living figure for international students since 2015. An IRCC spokesperson stated that the financial requirements for a study permit application are not based on a single figure, but rather consider factors such as tuition fees, living expenses, and return transportation for the student and any accompanying family members.
Talia Bronstein, Vice President of Research and Advocacy at Daily Bread, expressed concern over the disconnect between students’ expectations and the reality of living in Canada. The report highlights that the high cost of living and tuition fees make international students three times more likely to experience food insecurity compared to domestic students.
The survey also addresses the difficulty students face in finding safe and affordable housing, discrimination against post-secondary students in the housing market, and challenges in finding employment. The report makes recommendations to the Canadian government, universities and colleges, and the City of Toronto to address these issues and improve support for international students.
Bronstein emphasized the importance of better funding for colleges and universities in Ontario, stating, “We have the lowest per capita domestic student funding from the government across the provinces, and I think that really speaks to the fact that universities are turning to international students to subsidize domestic students. And that’s not a fair way of running an institution.” She also emphasized the need to go beyond food banks and focus on income supports, affordable housing, and decent work as long-term solutions to address food insecurity among students.
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