The Economic Times: Housing Crisis in Canada – Is Capping International  Students the Only Way?

Ravi Jain recently wrote a piece for the Economic Times where he discusses the housing and immigration policies in Canada, with a particular focus on international students, many of whom come from India. 

Sean Fraser, the Housing Minister and outgoing Immigration Minister, has suggested considering caps on international student admissions to address the housing shortage issue across the country. The federal government controls various aspects of international student visas, including Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs), work permits, and the approval of Permanent Resident applications.

Mr. Jain  argues against a hard cap on international student admissions and instead proposes alternative measures to limit their numbers while ensuring their protection. Firstly, he  suggests removing educational institutions and programs from the DLI list that do not lead to post-graduate work permits, as these offer no pathway to permanent residence. Secondly, he  advocates for a ban on student visas for private colleges, even those affiliated with public institutions, citing cases of oversubscription and inadequate facilities.

Additionally, Mr. Jain calls for transparency and accountability from DLIs and their agents regarding commissions and services provided to international students. He also warns against relying solely on immigration agents and consultants, highlighting concerns about their regulation and conflicts of interest with private colleges.

The article also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding international students from exploitation and the mental health challenges they face, including some resorting to suicide due to misinformation and difficulties related to their study and work permits. Mr. Jain urges politicians to implement these suggested changes to protect Canada’s reputation and the well-being of international students.

You can read the full article here.