COUNCIL OF ONTARIO UNIVERSITIES STATEMENT
Impact of Federal Changes to International Student Study Permits

"Federal changes to international study permits have had a profound impact on Ontario's universities.

As a result of the changes, Ontario universities are projecting financial losses of more than $300 million in 2024-25, compared to 2023, doubling to more than $600 million the following year, if trends continue. That's nearly a $1-billion financial impact in the first two years alone.

Additional changes announced in September are expected to result in further losses. The inclusion of Master's and PhD students within the international student cap adds further complexity to the application process and risks discouraging even more highly skilled students from applying to Canada. 

With a long history of responsibly supporting international students, Ontario's universities have only modestly increased international student enrolment over the years, while providing comprehensive services to all students. Even before federal changes, international students represented less than 20 per cent of all students at Ontario's universities.

With the extended cut and freeze to tuition and several years of higher inflationary costs, Ontario universities are facing significant financial challenges. Even after factoring in the provincial government's funding for STEM in 2023-24, announced last February, 10 universities are facing more than $300 million in deficits in 2023-24. These deficits are expected to increase in 2024-25, and do not include the impact of recent changes to international student study permits.

While we recognize the federal government had to address the bad actors that recklessly increased international student enrolment without the necessary supports, this has resulted in significant collateral damage to universities, which will have untold implications for years to come. It is critical that measures to reduce overall international student numbers target institutions that have seen irresponsible and unsustainable growth in recent years.

Moreover, we must ensure Canada and Ontario remain welcoming and competitive destinations for global talent. International students play a vital role within the social and economic fabric of the province and our country. University-level international students provide the top talent that Ontario needs to boost economic growth and compete globally.

That's why COU is asking the federal government to rebuild Canada's global reputation to ensure we can continue to attract the top talent and researchers our country and province needs.

We also urge the province to protect universities' existing allocation of provincial attestation letters from further cuts, and ensure the full allocation of spaces that Ontario receives for Master's and PhD students and other university-based programs go to Ontario universities.

We will continue to work with government, industry and community partners to rebuild Canada's global reputation to ensure we can attract the best and brightest from around the world to help build our economy."

- Steve Orsini, President and CEO, Council of Ontario Universities