Dear Mr Brown,

I keep hearing about all these actions taken against international students like quotas bans. Can you let me know what is going to happen?

HE

Dear HE:

The present housing affordability crisis has prompted the Government of Canada to consider a cap on the number of international students. At this time, a specific cap level has not been stated by the Government. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which is a national housing agency, estimates that the country needs 3.5 million more housing units by 2030 to restore affordability.

Almost one million students were admitted to Canada in 2023, which is a record high. From 2012 to 2022 the number of students has increased by more than 193 per cent. In addition to those students, Canada has also laid out an ambitious target of 1.5 million new immigrants by 2025.

The increase in students and permanent residents is happening in the context of a housing shortage which caused rent for Canadian to rise 22 per cent in the last two years due to short supply, affordability challenges and rising interest rates.

As such, the cap on international students is seen as a necessary measure to assist with reducing the demand for housing. The Government has also stated that it is ready to take more action if post-secondary institutions do not ensure adequate housing or assist in finding off-campus housing for international students they admit.

Conestoga College Seminar

Conestoga College is one of Canada’s top destinations and the largest college in Canada. As the local agent of Conestoga, I will be hosting a seminar with a representative from the college at the Courtleigh Hotel on Thursday, February 8, 2024, at 7:00 pm. It is open to the general public. We will be discussing educational programmes, as well as navigating the changes for study permits and applying for permanent residence. Instructions for registration for the seminar is found on my website under the contact section.

Humber College Seminar

Humber College is one of Canada’s top destinations for international students. As the local agent of Humber, I will be hosting a seminar with a representative of Humber at the Courtleigh Hotel on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 7:00 pm. It is open to the general public. We will be discussing educational programmes, as well as navigating the changes for study permits and applying for permanent residence. Instructions for registration for the seminar is found on my website under the Contact section.

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programs, including Express Entry, The Study & Work program, Visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM – a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com