Ottawa, [Date] – Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has announced a significant change in the country’s international student admissions policy. During a press conference on Monday, Miller revealed plans to implement a two-year limit on admissions to address what he deems an exploitative system. The minister expressed concerns about high international student tuition fees leading to subpar education.
As part of this initiative, there will be a 35% overall reduction in new study visas this year. Certain provinces, such as Ontario, will experience even steeper reductions, exceeding 50%. Miller emphasized that starting from September 1, students in institutions using a private-public model will be prohibited from obtaining postgraduate work permits.
Additionally, in the coming weeks, open work permits will be exclusively available to spouses of students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs, as well as professional programs like medicine and law.
Minister Miller stressed the federal government’s commitment to collaboration with provinces, acknowledging that progress in addressing these issues may not have been as swift as desired.
Concerns Over Immigration and Housing Crisis
Recently, there has been increased scrutiny on immigration in Canada, particularly in relation to the ongoing housing crisis. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre highlighted the impact of immigration on housing prices, stating, “It’s very simple math. If you have more families coming than you have housing for them, it’s going to inflate housing prices.”
Poilievre hinted at potential actions if elected, suggesting that the Conservatives would consider capping the number of immigrants. He emphasized the importance of aligning immigration numbers with the available housing stock, medical resources, and job opportunities.
These developments underscore the complex relationship between immigration policies and broader societal challenges, prompting a reevaluation of Canada’s approach to international student admissions in the pursuit of a more balanced and sustainable system.
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