In response to mounting concerns regarding the escalating housing costs, Canada’s Housing Minister, Sean Fraser, suggested the possibility of imposing limits on foreign student visas, which have surged significantly in recent years.
According to official statistics, active foreign student visas surpassed 800,000 in 2022, a substantial increase from the 275,000 recorded in 2012. The country has emerged as a favored destination for international students due to its comparatively straightforward process for obtaining work permits.
Fraser, who transitioned from the role of immigration minister to his current position last month, highlighted that the substantial surge in student numbers has exerted significant pressure on certain housing markets.
When asked about the potential implementation of a cap on foreign student enrollments, Fraser responded, “I believe that is an avenue we should explore.” He clarified that a definitive decision has not yet been reached by the government.
Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.
Fraser further emphasized, “We have temporary immigration initiatives that were not originally designed to accommodate such rapid expansion within such a condensed timeframe.” He shared these thoughts with journalists during a cabinet retreat held on Prince Edward Island, part of the Atlantic province.
The principal opposition party, the Conservative Party, which currently leads in the polls ahead of the impending federal election mandated by October 2025, asserts that the administration under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has not taken sufficient action to address the housing predicament.
Canada, with a population of roughly 39.5 million, has ambitious plans to admit an unprecedented 500,000 new permanent residents in the year 2025. Fraser indicated that restricting the influx of newcomers was not the ultimate solution.