In a recent report by The Canadian Press, it was revealed that the number of international students enrolling in Canadian universities has fallen below the federal government's imposed cap. This cap, introduced earlier this year by the immigration minister, aimed to curb the rapid growth in international student enrollment and alleviate pressures on housing, healthcare, and other services.
According to Universities Canada, the new policy has resulted in a significant decline in student visa applications, leading to an anticipated 35% drop in international student numbers for 2024 compared to the previous year. Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, expressed concern about the policy's impact on schools, stating that the financial toll will be substantial.
The cap created uncertainty for prospective students, and a temporary pause in visa processing further discouraged international applicants from choosing Canada. Miller emphasized that the full extent of the impact won't be apparent until the start of the academic year in September.
Original source:The Canadian Press, "International student enrolment has dropped below federal cap, universities say," August 30, 2024.
https://globalnews.ca/news/10726513/international-student-enrolment-cap-canada/