Last Updated On 30 January 2024, 12:02 PM EST (Toronto Time)

Ontario announces a set of new measures to better protect international students and improve the quality of Ontario’s postsecondary education.

Ontario, Canada’s most populated province and home to half of the country’s international students, will compel all schools and institutions to ensure housing is accessible for new cohorts.

The action came after Immigration Minister Marc Miller set a cap on international students last week in an effort to assuage public outrage over a rise in temporary migrants who drove up rents and housing prices.

The government will take the following actions to safeguard the quality of postsecondary education and encourage employment in vital industries, including skilled trades and health care:

For Universities and Colleges

Conduct an evaluation of the programs provided by postsecondary educational institutions that enroll a sizable number of overseas students to make sure that the calibre of the programs preserves Ontario’s standing as a global leader in education and satisfies the needs of the province’s labour market.

Make sure that the programs being given are in line with what employers are looking for so that graduates can establish themselves after completing their studies.

Put a stop to the creation of new public-private partnerships with colleges while efforts are made to improve supervision procedures and guarantee the calibre of current collaborations.

Take steps to ensure that the highest academic results are being attained by increasing the response rate to student outcome surveys.

Make it mandatory for all colleges and universities to provide assurances regarding the availability of accommodation choices for incoming overseas students.

New Cap on International Students Canada 2024

For Career Institutes

To improve the oversight of vocational colleges and ensure prompt responses to complaints and concerns, it is important to better coordinate enforcement activities across ministries.

This includes improving data management, documentation procedures, and the effectiveness of compliance investigations.

Along with exploring methods to further crack down on bad-actor recruiters who take advantage of international students and make shady claims about employment and citizenship, the Ontario government will also collaborate with federal and sector partners.

The provincial government will also work with the federal government to protect the stability of post-secondary education in the province and country as it takes the necessary precautions for student safety.

Postsecondary educational institutions play a major role in the production of jobs, skill development, research, innovation, and commercialization. As a result, they have contributed significantly to the economic expansion of Ontario.

An estimated $1.36 in positive economic return on investment is produced for every $1 invested in postsecondary education in the province.

“The challenges stemming from the recent spike in students coming to Canada, including predatory practices by bad-actor recruiters, misinformation regarding citizenship and permanent residency, false promises of guaranteed employment, and inadequate housing for students, require immediate attention and collaborative action,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities.

“At the same time, we need to strengthen the links between Ontario’s labour market needs and the programs being offered to students so we can get even more people into rewarding careers in health care and the skilled trades.”

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon

Gagandeep Kaur Sekhon moved to Canada in 2010 on a study visa. She navigated through the ups and downs of her student life and gained her permanent residency in 2015. Today, she is a proud Canadian citizen residing in Calgary, Alberta. She is mother of 2 beautiful daughters and making her difference through writing and guidance at INC – Immigration News Canada.