Canada’s International Student Program’s Integrity must improve per the latest revelation of Canada’s Senate on September 20. The latest report by Canada’s Senate reflects ways to strengthen the International Student Program’s integrity.
The report states that international students offer several advantages to the Canadian economy. They also tend to benefit the social and cultural aspects of Canada. The country also acknowledges certain integrity issues concerning Canada’s International Student Program.
Notably, only Canadian DLIs can welcome international students. However, DLIs might not have all programs that are eligible to offer PGWP. Yet, this continues to be an endless desire for many because it motivates international students to achieve Canadian work experience. This professional work experience might lead them to boost their eligibility for Canadian permanent residence.
The following issues are prevalent:
- Statistics Canada revealed through its report (June 2023) that 40 percent of study permit holders tend to reside in inappropriate accommodations. They might face differentiated rental listings and might even be subject to verbal abuse, demands for upfront deposits, and overcrowding on behalf of their landlords.
- A few educational agents might falsely lead international students into programs ineligible for a PGWP. As a result, they will not be up for gaining work experience or PR after graduation.
- The Senate report even recommends the Canadian government adopt a more straightforward approach to the permanent resident application procedure’s competitive scenario. This is essential because even though students get immigration advantages, they might not fully understand the complexities of PR application.
Canada’s International Student Program’s integrity must improve
Furthermore, the recent report states how Canada can incorporate integrity into the International Student Program.
The following ways are vital to overcome the challenges discussed above:
Federal, territorial, and provincial suggestions
Overall national assessment of the DLI’s financial sustainability
This recommendation implies that the Canadian post-secondary education sector heavily relies on international students for funding. Also, any downward global shifts in the international student trends away from Canada or diplomatic disputes could negatively affect this dependency.
Oversight of DLI’s to enhance international student experience
Management of international institutions in Canada might enhance the experience of international students in Canada. The idea is to encourage DLIs to offer international students enhanced off and on-campus experience.
As a result of this initiative, several policies might emerge that favor these students. For instance, there is a need for DLIs to display that they will assist international students in obtaining housing jobs and combating other issues related to settlement and mental health.
The Senate report clearly states that the institutions that fail to adhere to the above standards will no longer have permission to welcome international students.
Make international students aware of the programs ineligible for PGWP
International students tend to follow their dream of obtaining PGWPs and Permanent Residence once they graduate. Therefore, this report suggests that the Canadian government must put more effort into spreading awareness among international students about the programs eligible and ineligible for PGWP.
Provide proper housing for international students
According to this recommendation, the federal government must take the following steps to ensure that international students attain proper housing facilities. They’re as follows:
- Collection of federal information/data on housing for students to help them make appropriate choices.
- Developing a dedicated funding stream under the National Housing Strategy. This will help these post-secondary institutions create less expensive student accommodation options.
Encourage international students to understand their rights and pathways fully
The report’s writers suggest that the Designated Learning Institutions and the Canadian government must take more initiatives to inform international students about employment, housing, and sexual abuse. This is because several such matters happen and are not reported just because of a lack of awareness among international students about their rights.
Doing so will make these students understand the several steps they can take if they ever face such issues.
The strategy of national policy on TR2PR pathways after acquiring a Canadian education
The national strategy will prove beneficial for international students if adequately communicated. This can help international students avoid further disappointments related to Canadian Permanent Residence. This strategy will help them become aware of the availability of the actual number of limited spots for PR in Canada.
National policy strategy on settlement support
Similar to the above national policy strategy, this one focuses on initiating the same method for international students with respect to settlement support. These include the following:
- Offering international students better support and making the experience more worthwhile.
- Confront the challenges head-on related to the above-mentioned abuses.
- Offer a better way of informing international students about how to deal with life in Canada as a Permanent Resident.
Federal Suggestions
DLI admission criteria must have a standard national language
Offering uniformity in the way DLI admission criteria are expressed before international students will remove confusion among them about the same. As a result, they will experience academic success when they arrive in the country. Besides following the PR approval through the Canadian Language Benchmark, standard admission criteria will further prove advantageous for all.
The verification of Letters of Admission must be stronger
The LOA verification procedure must be strengthened further to improve the integrity of the International Student Program. This initiative is vital because it will save them from any further trouble in the form of court proceedings and deportations. The report also states that using specific available technologies in the private sector will expedite the verification process.
Reformation of IRPA and IRPR to better regulate the approach of education agents
Reforming the IRPA and IRPR will enable the launch of federal-level policies. Also, it will further prohibit overseas agents and post-secondary institutions from treading on the path of taking illegitimate advantage of aspiring candidates.
The report also suggests imposing penalties and fines on DLIs for acting against these new measures or reforms of IRPA or IRPR. Moreover, such DLI’s must also face the withdrawal of their DLI status.
Canada’s International Student Program’s integrity must improve – Provincial and Territorial Suggestions
International Student Tuition – introducing more regulations
Specific regulations must be increased per the latest Senate report. Furthermore, it implies reducing the cap on international student’s tuition fee increase. This suggestion will align with the first suggestion of this report. The cap can be reduced only if there is reduced dependency on international student fees to overcome the DLI’s expenses.
Introduction of more rules for education agents and penalties for DLIs who are at an advantage from dishonest agents
Manitoba has better regulations for overseas educational agents and those recruiting international students. With respect to recommendation 10, other provinces or territories must follow the same measures and initiatives as that in Manitoba. This is because Manitoba comprises several initiatives within the International Education Act. These measures impose regulations and penalties on firms that portray misbehavior. The measures include fines and a proper code of conduct. Hence, other provinces and territories must also adopt these measures.
