Ottawa has tightened the belt on international student admissions in Canada. Now Quebec wants to implement further changes, but universities are worried the Legault government might go too far.
The Government of Quebec recently tabled a bill that would give it unprecedented powers over international student selection. Universities are concerned the proposed legislation will encroach on their autonomy.
Jean-François Roberge, Quebec's minister of immigration, francization and integration, presented Bill 74 on Oct. 10 with the transparent goal of reducing international student admissions in the province. Reduction targets will be defined after the bill is adopted.
"The minister is granting himself the power to cap international student enrolment based on very granular criteria like region, level of study, institution, and even program," said Daniel Jutras, president of Université de Montréal. "Universities are very concerned about their autonomy."