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Executive Summary

On January 22, 2024, the federal government announced changes to the International Student Program, sending shockwaves through Canadian higher education. The reforms included an intake cap and a 35% cut in study permits for fall 2024 to address unsustainable growth. The number of students on active study permits had grown from 200,000 in 2013 to more than one million by the end of 2023.

The federal government expressed concern about bad actors exploiting students, and pressures on housing affordability, health care and other services. For many Canadian colleges and universities, the reforms severely curbed a major revenue source they had grown to depend on in an environment of provincial financial constraint.

The federal changes acted as an emergency brake on a system out of control. However, the short-term repercussions were significant. They included uncertainty and anxiety for current students about their prospects in Canada, and a collapse in new applications and enrolments. Post-secondary institutions suffered large revenue losses, with some announcing program closures. The reforms created frustration and uncertainty across both the public and private international education sectors, and damage to Canada’s international reputation.

So, where to from here? Over the long term, a sustainable and successful international education system requires a fundamental reassessment of Canada’s vision, goals and policy frameworks. This report aims to provide federal and provincial policymakers and post-secondary leaders with actionable advice for renewing international education in Canada. It is informed by research, roundtable discussions and expert interviews with a wide cross-section of stakeholders in the Canadian post-secondary and international education communities.

The findings and recommendations that emerged from this project fall under six themes:

1. Renew Canada’s strategy: Develop a refreshed, multi-year international education strategy through broad consultations, and support its implementation with improved federal-provincial coordination and regular outcome evaluations.
2. Clarify immigration processes and graduate pathways: Establish predictable visa intake caps and provincial allocations, involve provinces in post-graduate work permit (PGWP) decisions, and enhance transparency of career and immigration pathways for international students.
3. Bolster integrity of recruitment practices: Create a unified recruitment standard and code of conduct with clear, accurate and comprehensive information for prospective students.
4. Strengthen quality assurance of designated learning institutions (DLIs): Improve provincial oversight of DLIs, modernize federal visa processing, and reward top-performing DLIs through a recognized institutions framework (RIF).
5. Improve international student services: Develop a standard for international student services, with provinces requiring DLIs to provide a minimum level of services as part of strengthened quality assurance regimes.
6. Repair “Brand Canada”: Develop a strategy for repairing Canada’s international reputation through the EduCanada partnership, diversify recruitment source countries and increase transparency in student visa assessments.