Universities Canada Opposes Cap on International Students Amid Housing Crisis
Amidst discussions about implementing a cap on international students due to the housing crisis, Universities Canada asserts that there is no need for such a limit. Presently, Canada has 800,000 student permit holders, and various federal ministers have hinted at the possibility of capping the number to alleviate housing demand. However, universities and colleges are pushing back, emphasizing that the fees charged to international students are crucial for filling the funding gap in their operations.
Lisa Wallace, a spokesperson for Universities Canada, expressed concern about the conflation of international students and the housing crisis, stating that international students bring valuable knowledge, diversity, and skills to Canadian campuses and communities. Universities Canada recognizes that housing is a complex issue and calls on the federal government to expand access to low-cost financing for housing construction, broaden eligibility for housing programs through the National Housing Strategy, and support affordable housing projects nationwide.
Experts explain that it is not surprising for Universities Canada to oppose limits on international student intake. Fay Faraday, a law professor and immigration law expert, highlights that Canadian universities heavily depend on international students for revenue. The fees paid by international students, which are significantly higher than domestic fees, help address the underfunding in the public education system. This dependence has grown over the last few decades, with the number of international students in Canada quadrupling since 2000.
Statistics Canada data reveals a significant gap between domestic and international student fees. In the 2022-2023 academic year, domestic students paid an average tuition fee of $6,834, while international students paid nearly six times that amount at $36,123. Moreover, a report by Global Affairs Canada indicates that international students contribute $22.3 billion annually to the Canadian economy through tuition fees, accommodation expenses, and discretionary spending. Additionally, international students serve as a valuable source of labor, addressing the worker shortage Canada has faced in recent years.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cautioned against blaming international students as the cause of the housing crisis, emphasizing that there are numerous factors contributing to the situation. Trudeau’s cabinet colleagues, including Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Housing Minister Sean Fraser, and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, have also raised questions about whether the government’s immigration targets need to be reviewed in light of the housing crisis. The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that it does not set caps on study permits as it does for permanent residence programs but acknowledged that a review of the international students program is underway.
Law professor Fay Faraday highlights that breaking the economic model on which universities operate would require intervention from provincial governments. Without government funding, universities cannot transition away from this model. Ultimately, the issue lies in the choice to underfund public institutions.
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