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AAU urges federal government to rebuild Canada’s reputation as a welcoming country for international students

AAU

animated picture of international students on campus

October 22, 2024


By Peter Halpin,
Executive Director,
Association of Atlantic Universities

Atlantic Canada needs international students.


Their presence on university campuses, in communities and businesses across Atlantic Canada creates a distinct, strategic advantage for our region.


In 2023, more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate international students from 150 countries from around the world chose to pursue higher education in Atlantic Canada.


Why did they choose to come to our universities when they have other options?


According to a recent research project prepared by Dr. Ather H. Akbari, Saint Mary’s University, international students cited “cost of living, tuition fees, academic reputation, value of qualification and flexibility and duration of programs as top reasons.”[1], for choosing to study here.

Overarching the positive attributes of the region and its universities cited by survey respondents is Canada’s strong international reputation as a welcoming country.


Regrettably, that is no longer the case. Policy changes affecting international students introduced by Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in late 2023 (a 100 percent increase in the cost-of-living requirement) and January 2024 (a ‘cap’ on new visa permits), have tarnished Canada’s ‘brand’ and reputation among international students.


Atlantic region saw an international student decline of 11 percent


International students have choices, and in 2024, as a direct result of the IRCC policy changes, nearly 3,000 undergraduates and graduate chose not to come to many Atlantic universities. That represents a year-over-year decline of more than eleven percent, from 26,200 students in 2023 -to – 23,250 in 2024.[2]


The negative implications of such a major decline in just one year are significant and projected to worsen in 2025 with IRCC’s most recent decision in September to introduce a further ten percent reduction in new study permits for not just undergraduate students but now master’s and PhD students as well. - Peter Halpin, Executive Director, AAU

The impacts of this year’s loss of international students are wide-ranging. Atlantic universities have a greater dependence on international students than other parts of Canada. These students represent, on average, 30 percent of institutional enrolments versus less than 20 percent in the rest of Canada.


The first, most obvious impact is financial:  the loss of these students is projected to have a regional revenue and spending loss of $163 million.[3]  Without the cap on enrolments, international student spending this year would have totaled at least $1.3 billion![4]


For many years, the decisions of young people from all over the world to choose to study at our Atlantic universities have led to the internationalization of our campuses and the communities in which they are located. 


International students add to cultural life on campus and in the region


These students are highly engaged in all aspects of student life and university governance. Many universities’ student governments and student advocacy associations are led by international students, and many are also highly engaged in local community service, such as volunteering at food banks.


In short, international students have a powerful influence on the socio-cultural development of campuses and communities.


What is often overlooked is the critical role international students play in regional population growth and business creation strategies. Atlantic Canada retains 56 percent of international students following their graduation.[5]


Of those who completed education programs (100%), surveyed in Dr. Akbar’s study, “almost two-thirds found their first job in the province of study. Over half were working in their field of study, and two-thirds were permanently employed.”[6] 

According to Springboard Atlantic Inc., in an average year, 113 start-ups are spun out of the region’s research universities: 60 percent are led by international students!


International students are an important and growing key stream of new citizens in the Atlantic Immigration Program, providing the top talent our region needs to successfully compete nationally and globally.


Let's welcome international students to Canada again


The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) urgently requests the federal government to rebuild Canada’s hard-earned reputation as a welcoming country for international students so that our region can continue to grow and prosper.


The AAU also urges the region’s four provincial governments to work in close alignment with AAU advocacy to ensure IRCC officials, and our own federal political representatives, fully understand that the continued attraction and retention of international students is critical to successful regional economic, social and cultural development, and population growth.


[1] Academic and Socioeconomic Experiences of International Students in Atlantic Canada, Executive Summary, August 19, 2024

[2] Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) 2024-2025 Preliminary Enrolment Survey, October 15, 2024

[3] The Economic Impacts of Canada’s International Student Cap in Atlantic Canada for 2024/25, Gardner Pinfold Consultants, October 2024

[4] Ibid.

[5] The Class of 2020 Atlantic University Graduates, Two Years On, Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission, July 2023

[6] Academic and Socioeconomic Experiences of International Students in Atlantic Canada, Executive Summary, August 19, 2024



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