Ontario Mandates Housing Assurance for International Students Amidst Capped Study Permits and Collaboration Moratorium

Ontario colleges and universities will now be mandated to ensure housing options for incoming international students, according to an announcement by Minister Jill Dunlop. The government is set to conduct a review of post-secondary institutions with a substantial international student presence and impose a moratorium on new collaborations between public colleges and private institutions. This decision follows the recent federal government’s move to limit study permits for international undergraduate students over the next two years.

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s recent announcement included a 35% reduction in study permits, affecting Ontario’s allocation of new visas, which will be halved. The aim is to address concerns over bad actors exploiting high international student tuition fees while providing subpar education.

Premier Doug Ford’s government previously compelled public colleges and universities to reduce tuition by 10% in 2019, subsequently freezing it without additional funding. To compensate for lost revenue, institutions, especially colleges, began enrolling more international students. The recent measures from the Ontario government aim to protect students and enhance the integrity of post-secondary education.

The challenges arising from the surge in international students, including exploitative practices, misinformation, false promises, and housing inadequacies, necessitate immediate attention, according to Minister Jill Dunlop. The new measures include a housing guarantee for incoming international students.

However, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner expressed skepticism, emphasizing the need for funding commitments to address housing concerns effectively. The NDP criticized the Progressive Conservatives for not responding to a report recommending increased tuition fees and funding for colleges and universities.

While the review of recommendations from a government-commissioned report is ongoing, the government plans to collaborate closely with the sector, with further details expected by the end of February. The Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations highlighted the absence of funding in the recent announcement, emphasizing the need for government support to meet the needs of international and domestic students.

Minister Jill Dunlop also announced a provincial review of programs with a significant international student presence to ensure quality and alignment with labor market needs. The province will impose a moratorium on new public college-private partnerships while working on strengthening oversight mechanisms.

This week’s federal announcement, including restrictions on postgraduate work permits for students in private-public model schools, faced opposition from Ontario colleges and universities. A 2022 report from Ontario’s auditor general noted increasing dependence on tuition fees from international students, and a housing crisis remains a significant challenge in the province. Ontario has committed to building 1.5 million homes by 2031 to address the housing shortage.

Parvasi Weekly Inc,