Atlantic Canada's international student population drops by nearly 3000: Federal policies impact campuses and economy
In Atlantic Canada, the enrollment of international students has decreased by nearly 3000 this academic year, with a university group calling it the "devastating impact" of the federal government's policy to reduce the presence of temporary immigrants.
According to a report released by the Atlantic University Association on Tuesday, universities in the region received 2983 fewer foreign students compared to the 2023-24 academic year, a decrease of 11.4%.
Nova Scotia reported the largest decline, with 2091 fewer foreign students. The Memorial University of Newfoundland, the only university in the province, saw a decrease of 747 international student enrollments, while the University of Prince Edward Island, the only university on the island, saw a decrease of 143 students. The number of foreign students enrolled in New Brunswick has decreased by two students.
This decline is attributed to the federal government's announcement of an international student enrollment cap in January, which decreased by 35% compared to last year. Last month, Ottawa announced a further 10% reduction by 2025. The government took action after the number of foreign student visas tripled to over one million within ten years.
Peter Halpin, President of the Atlantic University Association, stated that the federal immigration department's cap has had a "devastating impact" on many of the 16 universities in the region.
Many international students hope to stay in Atlantic Canada after graduation, making a 'truly valuable contribution' to the internationalization of university campuses and their communities, "Halpin said in an interview.
He said that the federal government's policies have weakened their own Atlantic immigration program in many ways, in which international students are an important source of new citizens in the region
Halpin also stated that his team has noticed a decline in foreign students' confidence in Canada as a welcoming country. Although local universities have established a good reputation globally, Halpin stated that the enrollment cap has weakened this work.
Not only in Atlantic Canada, but universities across the country have expressed great concern about the damage to Canadian international brands
Halpin said there are also significant financial impacts. Universities in Atlantic Canada rely more on international tuition fees than other universities, with foreign students accounting for approximately 30% of university students in the region.
In addition, Halpin said that the decrease in international students means fewer people will stay in Atlantic Canada after graduation, which will harm economic growth.
For a region that has been striving to increase its population in recent years and has achieved some success, this is a very significant loss, "he said.
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