Raising a red flag over the legitimacy of student immigration, Marc Miller, the Minister responsible for immigration in Canada, has voiced his apprehensions about the potential compromise of the student immigration system in the country. This follows reports of deceptive college admissions orchestrated by certain agencies, capable of jeopardizing the educational and professional trajectories of aspiring students.
In a recent interview conducted by the Canada Broadcasting Corporation, Marc Miller expressed the nation’s overarching worry concerning the integrity of the educational ecosystem that hosts a substantial population of international students. Beyond the pressure exerted on housing facilities, Miller highlighted the broader challenges faced by the system.
Canada is currently poised to welcome an estimated 900,000 international students within the present year, a staggering figure that reflects a significant surge compared to numbers from a decade ago. Minister Miller underscored the significance of this influx, acknowledging that it marks a record high in Canada’s history of immigration for educational pursuits.
The conversation with Miller during the interview illuminated the substantial economic impact that both private and public universities generate through the annual revenue ranging between C$20 billion and C$30 billion. This significant economic contribution is derived from the enrollment of international students. However, Miller pointedly observed the existence of two distinct camps within this scenario: those genuinely benefiting from the system and those exploiting its vulnerabilities. The paramount concern for Miller remains the preservation of the system’s integrity.
When the topic of a potential cap on the number of incoming students was broached, Miller offered a balanced perspective. Contrary to simply enforcing a fixed limit, which had garnered public attention in recent days, Miller urged a multifaceted approach to the challenge. Responding to suggestions by the housing minister about the potential cap as a measure to mitigate housing pressures, Miller expressed skepticism about its efficacy as a sole solution.
Interestingly, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reportedly has plans to introduce the Trusted Institution framework into its student visa program by the year 2024. This strategic framework constitutes a pivotal element in the comprehensive modernization strategy designed to revamp the International Student Program (ISP) overseen by the IRCC.
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