Canadian universities don’t want a cap on international students. Here’s why
Global News
A Global Affairs Canada report said international students in Canada spend $22.3 billion on tuition, accommodation, and discretionary spending.
Amid talk of a cap on international students due to the housing crisis, Universities Canada says there’s no need for any such limit.
Canada currently has 800,000 student permit holders and several federal ministers have hinted that the number be capped in the future to ease housing demand.
At the same time, universities and colleges are pushing back as experts say the fees they can charge international students “fill the gap” in funding for their operations.
“Recent comments conflating international students and the housing crisis are deeply concerning to Universities Canada and our members,” said Lisa Wallace, a spokesperson for Universities Canada, in a statement last week.
“International students bring important knowledge, diversity and skills to our campuses, communities and workforce. We must continue to welcome them to study at Canadian universities.”
Universities Canada in its statement said housing is a “complex and systemic issue.”
The statement called on the federal government to expand access to low-cost financing to build housing, to broaden eligibility for housing programs through the National Housing Strategy and to support affordable housing projects in communities across the country.
Experts say, however, that it is not surprising that Universities Canada is opposing limits on the intake of international students.