Premier Ford Advocates for 100 Per Cent Enrolment of Ontario Students in Provincial Medical Schools

Premier Doug Ford is advocating for prioritizing Ontario students in medical school admissions, aiming to allocate all spots in the province’s medical schools exclusively to local candidates.

During an event unveiling a new medical school at York University, Ford expressed his intention to eliminate the current 18 percent quota reserved for international students. He emphasized, “I’m not being mean, but I’m taking care of our students, our kids first.”

Ford underscored concerns about Ontario students studying abroad and not returning home after forming relationships, stating his desire for “100 percent of Ontario students going to these universities.” His office clarified later that his focus is on filling medical seats with Ontario students.

Criticism swiftly followed Ford’s remarks, with NDP Leader Marit Stiles condemning them as disrespectful to both international students and trained physicians awaiting residency spots. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change echoed these sentiments, labeling Ford’s remarks as exacerbating anti-migrant sentiments and distracting from chronic underfunding of public education.

The debate arises as post-secondary institutions grapple with an increasing reliance on international students, particularly in the wake of tuition cuts initiated by Ford’s government in 2019. Despite recommendations to unfreeze tuition and adequately fund post-secondary institutions, the province recently announced a $1.3-billion top-up, which many institutions deem insufficient to address deficits.

In parallel, the federal government’s decision to reduce international student permits further compounds the challenges faced by Ontario’s post-secondary institutions. While the province plans to prioritize permits for in-demand programs, concerns persist regarding the substantial revenue losses projected for the college sector in the coming years.

Overall, Ford’s call for prioritizing local students in medical school admissions underscores broader debates surrounding international student enrollment, education funding, and immigration policies in Ontario.