Canada considering foreign student visa cap to address housing shortage

Canada's housing minister, Sean Fraser, has suggested the possibility of capping foreign student visas due to the immense pressure they have put on housing markets in recent years.

reuters.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/25/2023

Canada considers foreign student cap over housing crisis

Canada is considering implementing a cap on international students as a way to address its housing affordability crisis, but experts believe that limiting student visas alone will not effectively solve the problem. The country's housing market has experienced significant price increases, particularly in large cities like Toronto and Vancouver, making homeownership and rental costs unaffordable for many. The housing shortage resulting from population growth and a lack of new constructions has contributed to the crisis. However, experts argue that blaming foreign ownership and population growth alone oversimplifies the issue and that a comprehensive approach addressing housing supply, affordability, and the real estate industry's influence is needed.

8/28/2023

Canada minister expresses concern on 'integrity' of student immigration, says ‘some people are gaming the system’

Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller, has expressed concern over the integrity of student immigration in the country, as cases of fake admissions by agencies threaten the career and future of students; however, he believes that putting a hard cap on student intake is not the only solution.

9/3/2023

Canada Calling: Amid housing crisis, Quebec rejects cap on international students; poll shows many young Canadians living from paycheck to paycheck

The number of international students at Canadian colleges, particularly from India, has been increasing significantly, leading to concerns about the housing crisis and calls for a cap on study permits; however, there are opposing views with Quebec asserting its autonomy in determining the number of international students it can accommodate, and a new report arguing that the housing crisis is a result of systemic failure rather than solely the fault of international students. Additionally, a recent poll reveals that nearly half of Canadians are living paycheck to paycheck, contributing to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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Posted 8/21/2023, 10:39:00 PM