Canada’s Ontario government is set to introduce several measures to protect international students and improve the integrity of the province’s postsecondary education. These measures will also promote employment in critical sectors, such as healthcare and skilled trades, a release stated.
As part of the plan, programs offered by postsecondary institutes (colleges and universities) that have a sizable number of international students will be reviewed to ensure that their quality protects Ontario’s reputation as a world leader in education and meets the labor market demands in the province.
Ensuring that the programs are meeting the needs of the labor market will help students build a life in the province after the completion of their studies.
Measures issued by the office of Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, include the suspension of new public college-private partnerships to strengthen the quality of existing partnerships.
The government has introduced a federal cap on international students for two years in response to the worsening housing crisis in Canada. With the new protocols, the number of international students in Canada will be capped at 364,000 for 2024. It was set partly to prevent private universities from admitting more students than they’re equipped for.
Dunlop’s office called on all colleges and universities in Ontario to guarantee that housing options are available for incoming international students.
Indians have been the dominant student group in Canada for several years. In 2023, 225,835 Indian students secured study permits, signifying 41 percent of the total granted by Canada.
Dunlop’s office said the Ontario government, along with sector partners and the federal government, will work together to further crack down on recruiters who take advantage of international students and lure them with false promises of employment and citizenship.
“We must find more ways to work together to combat gross recruitment practices while protecting our ability to attract the world’s best and brightest to study here in Ontario,” said Dunlop.
“These actions will also ensure that we implement sensible policies that protect against worsening Ontario’s housing affordability issues. We need to ensure that students coming to study here have a place to live,” the minister added.
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