Federal immigration minister Marc Miller, during a visit to Calgary, declared that the era of unlimited intake of international students has ended. He emphasized that provincial investment in education must offset the lost revenue for post-secondary institutions due to the reduced number of international students.
“We need to prioritize quality in our system,” Miller told Postmedia. “We must ensure diversity and attract highly qualified and talented individuals, while also making it clear that Canada is an expensive place to live.”
Following a citizenship ceremony at the Stampede where 25 individuals were granted Canadian citizenship, Miller highlighted the lengthy and challenging journey to citizenship. “They will contribute to making Canada, already the best country in the world, even better,” he said, stressing that citizenship is a privilege, not a right for everyone who enters the country.
Miller underscored the need to consider the impact of high immigration volumes on housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He acknowledged that many immigrants are crucial for maintaining Canada’s healthcare system, a key part of the national identity.
In 2023, Canada’s population grew by 1.3 million, or 3.2%, largely driven by temporary immigration, with over 800,000 temporary residents. International students represent a significant portion of this growth.
In January, the federal government proposed reducing student permits by 35% to alleviate pressure on housing and infrastructure. The new program, which adjusts the cap on student permits for each province, granted Alberta more permits than its usual share of international students. Masters and PhD students are exempt from the cap.
The cap is enforced through an attestation letter from a province or territory, separate from the student permit application. While the new program will approve more students, a University of Calgary student union representative expressed concerns about the uncertainty and challenges students face, including securing housing and dealing with unregulated tuition increases.
Miller emphasized that post-secondary institutions should not serve as a backdoor to Canadian citizenship. While there may be a case for granting citizenship to some international students, not all should expect it.
Miller also pointed out that immigration is not the sole reason for rising living costs and tuition. Historical underfunding in affordable housing and post-secondary institutions has contributed significantly. The federal government’s decision in the 1990s to shift affordable housing funding to provinces has resulted in inadequate investment, failing to meet growing demand.
Student housing is also insufficient, with high demand leading the University of Calgary to remove a housing guarantee for second-year students, pushing them into the rental market. A report by Higher Education Strategy Associates in 2022 revealed a 31% decline in provincial funding over the past five years.
The University of Calgary’s student union reported a 33% increase in domestic tuition and a 40% rise for international students since 2019. Alberta’s 2024 budget did not increase post-secondary funding despite inflation rising over 10% in the past two years, translating to a per capita funding cut of 7.3%.
Miller urged provincial governments to prioritize funding for universities, stating, “If there’s anything we need to invest in, it’s our kids and our world-class institutions. Underfunding them is shameful. Provincial governments need to reassess their balance sheets and invest in their universities, rather than relying on international students for funding.”
