Declining public support for Trudeau’s Liberals prompts discussions on their perceived mismanagement of the housing problem.
Canada is considering implementing restrictions on the number of international students allowed to reside in the country, according to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, responding to a CTV report. The government is facing criticism over a housing affordability crisis, with Miller suggesting the possibility of imposing a cap on international students in the first and second quarters of the current year.
The housing crisis is attributed to increased demand for homes caused by a surge in migrants and international students, coupled with slowed construction due to inflation, prompting the government to reevaluate its strategies.
Expressing apprehension about the growing volume of international students, Miller characterized the current system as “out of control.” While the specific magnitude of the reduction remains unspecified, Miller intends to engage with provincial counterparts to address the issue. Canada, heavily reliant on immigration to stimulate its economy and support an aging population, is a popular destination for international students, drawn in by its relatively accessible work permit process.
In August, the Liberal government had initially suggested the possibility of imposing limits on foreign student visas, but a conclusive decision was still pending. These talks coincide with a decrease in popularity for Trudeau’s Liberals, who are under fire for their perceived mishandling of the housing issue. The opposition Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are making strides in polls amid the criticism faced by the Liberal government.
Official data reveals a notable increase in the number of active visas for foreign students in Canada, reaching over 800,000 in 2022, a substantial rise from 275,000 in 2012. Recent findings from The Canadian Press, based on internal documents obtained through an access to information request, disclose that public servants had warned the federal government about the potential impact of its ambitious immigration objectives on housing affordability two years ago.
The Liberals have set targets to welcome 485,000 immigrants in the current year, with plans to reach 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. The influx of temporary residents, primarily comprising international students and migrant workers, exacerbates the situation, with over 300,000 arriving in Canada during the third quarter of the preceding year.