Recent reports indicate that the Canadian government’s cap on international students has resulted in a far more significant drop in enrollment than initially anticipated. Universities Canada, representing nearly 100 Canadian universities, warns that the impact will be “far greater” than Ottawa’s original projections.

Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, revealed that preliminary data suggests at least a 45% decrease in international student enrollment. The final figures, expected in October, could potentially show an even more substantial decline. This reduction far exceeds the government’s initial target of a 35% decrease over two years, as announced by Immigration Minister Marc Miller in January.

The situation appears even more dire for colleges and institutes. Michael McDonald, director of government relations for Colleges and Institutes Canada, reports an anticipated 54% decline in international student enrollment for these institutions.

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The cap was implemented to address the rapid increase in international students, which was putting pressure on housing, healthcare, and other services. However, the sharp decline has raised concerns about its unintended consequences.

International students not only contribute financially to educational institutions but also enrich the learning environment and contribute to the Canadian economy. The significant drop in enrollment may affect schools’ ability to deliver quality education, particularly in programs requiring specialized equipment and facilities.

Moreover, the uncertainty created by the cap has led many international students to choose other countries for their studies, potentially damaging Canada’s competitiveness in the global education market.

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More broadly, the sharper-than-expected decline can also be connected to the housing market. Prices were already going down across Canada over the summer, possibly due to this reduced demand, even before the full extent of the enrollment decline was widely known.

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