Ottawa’s international student cap hurting Atlantic universities: association

The number of international students enrolled at universities in Atlantic Canada has dropped by nearly 48% since the federal government imposed new restrictions on student visas in 2024, according to data released by The Association of Atlantic Universities. The region's schools now have 3,000 fewer international students compared to last year, with only 13,775 full-time visa students currently enrolled across the four provinces as of October 1st. This decline is more severe than initially intended by the government’s decision to cap the number of international student permit applications over two years to stabilize new growth. The decrease has disproportionately affected small businesses and community organizations that relied on these students for work and volunteer support, exacerbating an aging workforce issue in the region. The CEO of The Association of Atlantic Universities, Ava Czapalay, asserts that universities and communities are suffering as a result, while Gabriel Miller, president and CEO of Universities Canada, emphasizes this trend reflects a broader national challenge to attract international talent.