Canada Announces To Cut More Foreign Student Permits (image-instagram/justinpjtrudeau)
The Canadian government announced on Wednesday its decision to further reduce the number of study permits for international students. The move comes amid growing political pressure on Trudeau’s Liberal government.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announcing the decision on X, wrote, “We’re granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10%. Immigration is an advantage for our economy — but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down”.
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The announcement follows several accent measures aimed at controlling Canada’s record-high immigration levels, which have contributed to pushing the nation’s population beyond 41 million this year.
Trudeau cited concerns regarding the impact of high immigration levels, which have contributed to pushing the nation’s population beyond 41 million earlier this year. The government has cited concerns about the effects of high immigration on housing availability, employment, and social services.
We’re granting 35% fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10%.
Immigration is an advantage for our economy — but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 18, 2024
The government plans to issue 437,000 study permits to international students in 2025, a significant decrease from 485,000 this year and over 500,000 in 2023. Additionally, new restrictions will be placed on work permits for spouses of certain international students and foreign workers, reports mint.
“The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to,” noted Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
He also cited the Trudeau government’s intent to enforce stricter residency and visa policies. Wednesday’s announcement came two days after the Trudeau-led Liberal Party lost a key seat in a by-poll in Quebec province and a week before Trudeau is set to face a confidence vote after the opposition Conservatives said it would not back an attempt to defeat his minority government.
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Reduction in the number of temporary residents, including foreign students and workers, in a bit to limit record immigration has become one of the major points of focus in the run-up to a general election in 2025.
Meanwhile, the inflation has slowed to the Bank of Canada’s 2% annual target as of August, the public continues to associate migrants with economic struggles.
