Canada limits the number of international students

"Over the next two years, Canada will limit the issuance of international student and work permits to some graduating students due to record numbers of new arrivals exacerbating the housing crisis," Canadian officials said.
"This decision is expected to reduce the number of student permits issued to 360,000 already this year, which is 35% less than last year," the Department of Immigration said.
Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller said the federal government will work with provinces that have jurisdiction over education systems to implement the aforementioned restrictions. He cited "the protection of the rights of students from universities that provide inadequate services at very high prices" as well as "increasing pressure on housing" as reasons for their introduction, CTV News reported.
"Increasing numbers of international students, as well as rapid population growth fueled by immigration, are putting increasing pressure on housing, the health system and other services," Miller said, adding that a smaller influx of people would help to reduce rents.
Issues related to housing and social services have weighed on the ratings of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who polls do not predict a new term if an election is held tomorrow.
In the third quarter of last year, Canada saw its fastest population growth in six decades, while the number of temporary residents, mostly students, increased by about 313,000, the most in five decades.
The Canadian Federation of Student Co-operatives criticized the federal government's decision.
"The biggest problem is that the restriction was announced as a reaction to the housing crisis," said union representative Matheus Salmassi, who sees the solution in increasing the number of housing units dedicated to foreign students.
On the other hand, the University of Toronto welcomed the announcement of the restrictions and announced that it will cooperate with all levels of government regarding the new study permit policy.
"The changes are aimed at addressing the issue of abuse of the system by certain actors and are not intended to negatively affect universities like ours," the university said in a statement. /BGNES