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

• On January 22, 2024, the federal government announced a two-year cap on the number of approved study permits.

• The Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne, which advocates for French-language post-secondary institutions outside of Quebec, released a statement expressing its “profound concern” over the government’s decision, “which could have unforeseen consequences for the association’s members and for francophone minority communities across the country.”

• In its report, Francophone Immigration to Minority Communities: Towards a bold, strong and coordinated approach, the committee noted that francophone international students can make significant contributions to governments’ francophone immigration objectives. French-language post-secondary institutions outside of Quebec have also told the committee that they are already feeling the effects of low enrolment.

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

• See the committee’s meeting schedule.
• Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #OLLO.
• Subscribe to email alerts for Senate committees.
• Sign up for the Senate eNewsletter.

For more information:

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