International students in Canada

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Canada is a popular destination for international students across all levels of its education system, with the country ranking fourth in terms of international student enrollment as of 2019, following the United States, United Kingdom, and China.^[1] In as early as 1959, Canada's then-monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, said on Dominion Day (now Canada Day), in reference to cooperation and mutual help, "one instance of this is the number of students from India, and Pakistan, and the West Indies who found places in Canadian universities. This is an admirable plan and I hope that it spreads [...] If any of these students are listening to me, which perhaps they are, I congratulate them on the hard work and enterprise which has sent them here and send them my very good wishes."^[2] The provision of international student education is considered to have non-monetary benefits, such as reducing xenophobia and cultural stereotyping by encouraging diversity, nurturing international goodwill and global civility, fostering intercultural and social connections among faculty and students, and promoting greater engagement in teaching and collaborative research initiatives.^[3]

According to the International Education Strategy published by the Government of Canada, international students are present in all levels of education, including primary, secondary, trades, and college and post-secondary education, with the largest number of international students enrolled at the post-secondary level.^[4] The number of enrolled students has been increasing steadily in all levels from 2015 to 2018, with the greatest rise in college attendance.^[4][5] The International Education Strategy for the period 2019-2024 includes a commitment to diversify inbound student population and distribute them more evenly across the country rather than concentration them in a few cities.^[5] To attract more international students, Canadian educational institutes are offering English as a second language programs and reserving specific scholarships for interested international students.^[6] In 2016, the International Education Division of Global Affairs Canada launched the EduCanada brand, a collaborative promotional initiative involving the provinces and territories and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada.^[7]

A survey conducted by the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) found that 96% of international students endorsed Canada as a study destination, due to its quality education and its reputation as a safe, tolerant and multicultural country that celebrates diversity.^[8] In 2014, Canada aimed to raise the number of international students from around 240,000 to over 450,000 by the year 2022.^[9] As of 2023, there are over 1,040,985 individuals holding study permits within the country, a 29% increase over 2022,^[10] with them accounting for over 2% the population of the country.^[11] However, CIBC Capital Markets reported that the official count of temporary residents in Canada might be significantly higher than reality. The report finds that the actual number could be off by up to one million.^[12][13]

Some private institutions are revoking their admission offers to international students because they don't have the capacity to accommodate large volumes of international students. They sent out more acceptance letters, thinking that the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) would manage the numbers.^[14] In 2022, information obtained through the Access to Information Act showed a significant increase in the influence of Indian students. They were pushing Canada to support their individual, economic, and political goals. Indian international student activism with similar aims were highly active on social media.^[15] Although Canada aims to capture the economic benefits of its knowledge-based economy by providing education to international students, it faces challenges in delivering the necessary services ethically and becoming a transformative leader. Additionally, the sector is influenced by consultants who advise prioritizing appearances over implementing substantial changes.^[16]