The move, which will last two years to bring the numbers down to 2022 levels, has sparked polarized reactions across the industry.
Although this cap does not include all language students, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada also includes students on student visas, and according to the executive director of Languages Canada, this will impact many schools.
The majority of language learners enter Canada on temporary resident visas and ETAs used by tourists, but there are problems.
Gonzalo Peralta argued that “those who come through study permits… have a disproportionate share of financial contributions and other contributions, such as diversity, compared to the total number of students.” pie news.
“It could just be 25%. [are coming in on study permits]But ultimately, the commercial portion is 50%.”
The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that language students are not permitted to work if they are enrolled in an independent language course.
According to the IRCC website, students may work off-campus if they are enrolled in a postsecondary, vocational, or professional education program and meet the criteria for being a full-time student at DLI.
The program of study must be at least six months long, lead to a degree, diploma, or certificate, and study must begin before the student begins working.
“Our [member schools] People who welcome international students and others, teach them our official language and show them our way of life. Full integration.
“This is what our members do. And it is unconscionable for IRCC to say on the one hand that those students cannot work and on the other hand say that they are not exempt from the cap,” Peralta declared.
He is lobbying to exclude language schools from the limit entirely and is currently contacting the Office of the Minister for Immigration and Immigration.
Some 16 of the Languages Canada organization's member programs are part of Marc Miller's Montreal constituency. “He will hear from them too,” Peralta confirmed.
Peralta argued that although not officially listed as exempt from the cap, language schools meet the criteria based on the fact that they do not have a negative impact on the housing market.
“The rapid increase in the number of international students arriving in Canada is also putting pressure on housing supply,” the initial announcement of setting the caps said.
Many students who go to Canada to study abroad end up staying in homestays, which does not contribute to the housing crisis currently occurring in Canada.
This is an issue recently raised by Sharon Curl, immediate past president of Languages Canada and North American president of the Oxford International Education Group.
“We know where all of our students live and sleep,” she recently told The PIE.
Master's, doctoral, elementary and middle school students are also exempt from the limit.
Peralta acknowledged that abuse of the system is occurring, with students generally “applying to immigrate to Canada for work and using their studies as a means to get there,” but noted that the federal government “allows” it to happen. first.
“It could just be 25%. [are coming in on study permits]But ultimately, the commercial portion is 50%.”
“Now they don’t want it anymore. “I appreciate that it needs to be fixed, but there are aspects of it that I think are absolutely terrible,” Peralta added.
“The government did not even advise the provinces. When it was announced publicly, it was news to other parts of the federal government as well.
He continued, “Another problem is that it was done without any consultation. There is a way to do things. “Everyone in Canada knows that a fix is needed, but a fix that is blinding and hurtful to so many athletes and students across Canada is appalling.”
On February 6, Languages Canada released materials asking students to continue choosing Canada. Crucially, it was pointed out that those coming via TRV or ETA as well as the International Experience Canada work visa are not subject to the restrictions and will benefit from the faster visa. process.