This House of Commons committee meeting on Citizenship and Immigration studied the international student program, hearing from six witnesses: Larissa Bezo (Canadian Bureau for International Education), Alex Usher (Higher Education Strategy Associates), André Côté (The Dais, Toronto Metropolitan University), David Agnew (Seneca Polytechnic), Robert Asselin (U15 Canada), and Christian Blanchette (University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres).
Larissa Bezo described the policy changes of the past 20 months as a serious overcorrection that has devastated the sector, with study permits dropping 70% and institutions announcing 35 site closures and over 10,000 job losses. She called for a period of policy stability, a new narrative emphasizing international education's value, a global talent strategy with a centre of excellence, and whole-of-government coordination across multiple departments.
Alex Usher argued that the crisis stems from three distinct visa types—student visas, postgraduate work permits, and the link to permanent residency—and that the system broke when colleges monetized the permanent residency pathway. He blamed underinvestment in data systems and a lack of co-operative federalism, urging the committee to fix how policy is made rather than just the policies themselves.
André Côté urged the committee to focus on fixing the system for the future rather than assigning blame, noting that provinces and institutions were complicit in the failure. He recommended that the federal government roll back its overreach into postgraduate work permit eligibility for colleges and graduate student caps, and instead delegate those decisions to provinces through a team Canada approach.
David Agnew reported that Seneca Polytechnic saw applications fall more than 80% in two years and approval rates in Ontario drop from 64% to 25%. He called for closer consultation with provinces and institutions on any changes, more predictability, and a one-size-fits-all approach that disadvantages local economies, and he offered to collaborate with IRCC on the asylum claimant issue.
Robert Asselin emphasized that international graduate students are essential to Canada's research and innovation, with first-year international bachelor enrolments down 19% and graduate computer engineering enrolments down over 20%. He recommended exempting graduate students from study permit caps, rebuilding Canada's reputation, and targeting bad actors while supporting high-standard institutions.
Christian Blanchette noted that Quebec universities saw a 43% drop in applications, with UQTR down 56%, and that processing delays and a three-year permit for four-year doctoral programs are harming recruitment. He argued the issue is about university and economic development, not immigration, and called for a clear signal that Canada welcomes international students.
The committee agreed to hold clause-by-clause study of Bill C-3 on October 7, with amendments due by October 3 at noon.
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