On September 20th, a group of four esteemed senators unveiled a comprehensive report that delves into the imperative task of bolstering the integrity of Canada’s international student program. While the international student influx undeniably contributes to Canada’s economy, cultural vibrancy, and social fabric, the report underscores the pressing need to address a range of integrity concerns embedded within the program.
1. Education Agents: One glaring issue pertains to education agents who, among other indiscretions, may inadvertently guide international students toward programs that do not qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). This crucial permit enables students to gain invaluable Canadian work experience, enhancing their prospects for permanent residence.
2. Housing Challenges: An alarming statistic from a June 2023 report by Statistics Canada reveals that 40% of study permit holders reside in unsuitable accommodations. These students often face discriminatory rental listings, unfair treatment by landlords, overcrowding, and exorbitant upfront deposits.
3. Permanent Residence Expectations: The report highlights a recurring problem where international students are led to believe that gaining permanent residence in Canada upon completing their studies is a straightforward process. While the Canadian government is transparent about the advantages of studying in Canada, there’s room to provide more clarity about the highly competitive nature of permanent residence applications.
To address these pressing issues, the report puts forth a series of strategic recommendations spanning federal, provincial, and territorial levels:
Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Recommendations
1. Financial Sustainability of DLIs: The report suggests conducting a national review of the financial sustainability of Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs). It underscores the potential vulnerability of Canada’s post-secondary education sector due to overreliance on international student funding, emphasizing the need to mitigate risks associated with fluctuations in global international student trends.
2. Oversight on DLIs: Greater oversight of DLIs, including private colleges, is proposed to enhance the international student experience. This oversight could lead to pro-student policies, such as support for finding housing and employment, addressing mental health challenges, and more. DLIs failing to meet these standards could face restrictions on admitting additional international students.
3. PGWP Program Awareness: The report calls for improved awareness among international students regarding eligibility for PGWP programs. It suggests that governments at all levels can play a vital role in informing students about eligible programs to align their expectations with realities.
4. International Student Housing: Recommendations include gathering federal data on student housing, establishing dedicated funding for affordable student housing under the National Housing Strategy, and ensuring a more suitable environment for international students.
5. Legal Rights and Recourse: DLIs and the Canadian government are encouraged to educate international students about their legal rights and avenues for recourse in cases of housing, employment, and other challenges, thus empowering students to address these issues effectively.
6. National Policy Strategy on PR Pathways: The proposal advocates for a national policy strategy that provides international students with a realistic understanding of permanent residence pathways in Canada, preventing potential disappointment and better preparing them for the journey ahead.
7. National Policy Strategy on Settlement Support: Similar to the above, this recommendation suggests implementing a national strategy to offer comprehensive settlement support to international students, ensuring a more positive experience and addressing issues highlighted in the report.
Federal Recommendations
1. Standardized Admission Criteria Communication: Standardizing how DLIs communicate admission criteria is seen as a means to reduce confusion among international students, fostering success in both academics and other aspects of life in Canada.
2. Strengthening LOA Verification: The report proposes the reinforcement of the verification process for Letters of Admission (LOAs) to uphold the program’s integrity and avoid potential legal issues in the future.
3. Reforming IRPA and IRPR: The call to reform Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Regulations (IRPR) aims to regulate the conduct of education agents and post-secondary institutions, with penalties for violations.
Provincial and Territorial Recommendations
1. Regulation of Tuition: The report suggests exploring further regulations on international student tuition, including lowering the cap on tuition increases, as part of the broader effort to reduce reliance on international student fees for institutional funding.
2. Oversight on Agents and DLI Penalties: Provinces and territories are encouraged to follow the lead of regions like Manitoba by introducing regulations on overseas education agents and penalties for DLIs benefiting from unscrupulous agent behavior.