Immigration Minister Marc Miller is exploring the possibility of imposing a cap on the number of international students in Canada due to concerns about the overwhelming volume. While the extent of the reduction is undisclosed, Miller emphasized the need for federal-provincial discussions to address the issue. The minister acknowledged that the current system is “out of control” and stressed the importance of reining in numbers to alleviate housing demands.
The federal government has faced criticism for high immigration levels contributing to housing shortages. Miller plans to evaluate a cap on international students in the first and second quarters of this year, emphasizing the need for financial scrutiny and verification of offer letters.
He mentioned that the cap would not be a one-size-fits-all solution and highlighted the broader considerations, including workforce age reduction. While specifics were not provided, Miller affirmed that the government is actively considering a cap and will engage in discussions with provinces on the matter.