Skip to content

Ottawa – The federal intake cap on international students appears to be negatively affecting Canada’s French-language colleges and university outside of Quebec — and the Senate Committee on Official Languages is launching a study to hear witnesses and possibly make recommendations to the federal government. 

The government’s plan to restrict study permits to 360,000 students — a 35% decrease from 2023 — risks straining the capacity of institutions that already lack the ability to respond to the challenges of francophone immigration. In fact, the committee’s March 2023 report on francophone immigration to minority communities recommended that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada reduce barriers to study permits for francophone international students who choose to study at a French-language post-secondary institution. 

The committee anticipates calling Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Marc Miller to testify, as well as representatives of affected institutions. 

Quick Facts

Quotes

“Our committee is concerned that the federal government’s decision will have an outsized impact on Canada’s French-language colleges and universities outside of Quebec. This study will enable us to better understand the likely consequences of this decision, and potentially contribute to identifying a way forward to support these important francophone institutions in minority settings.”

- Senator René Cormier, Chair of the committee

“Stakeholders are already expressing concern that the federal government has acted without sufficient consideration for francophone post-secondary institutions outside Quebec. It is essential for the committee to hear their concerns, so it is fully aware of the real-world consequences.” 

- Senator Rose-May Poirier, Deputy Chair of the committee

 

Associated Links

For more information:

Jérémie Spadafora
Communications Officer | Senate of Canada
343-550-6111 | jeremie.spadafora@sen.parl.gc.ca

Related News

Senate committee urges Ottawa to track effects of international student caps on...
More French-speaking immigrants needed to boost dwindling Francophonie
Senate committee provides update after studying plan for official languages...
Senate committee adopts motion on post-secondary institutions serving minority...

Latest Reports

Report on the report on the Statutes Repeal Act for the year 2024 The Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Thirty-second Report

Bill C-78, An Act respecting temporary cost of living relief (affordability), without amendment but with observations The Standing Senate Committee on National Finance
Twentieth Report

Study on Canada’s Monetary Policy — Interim Findings The Standing Senate Committee on Banking, Commerce and the Economy
Seventeenth Report

Back to top