Canada is taking a closer look at its long-term visa program for foreign students, signaling a shift in policy towards slower immigration and population growth. This move comes amidst increasing pressure on the government due to rising living costs, housing shortages, and unemployment.

Bloomberg reported that Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that the government is working with provinces to align immigration with labor market demands. While Canada has traditionally relied on universities and colleges to attract skilled, working-age immigrants, Miller emphasized that study visas should not be seen as a guarantee of future residency or citizenship.

“People should be coming here to educate themselves and perhaps go home and bring those skills back to their country,” he said. “That hasn’t always been the recent case.”

Earlier this year, Canada implemented a cap on international student visas, projecting fewer than 300,000 new permits this year compared to 437,000 last year. Now, the government is focusing on who among these students should be granted residency after completing their studies.

Miller highlighted the need to ensure that jobs available to international students align with their qualifications. He also emphasized the need to carefully consider the allocation of post-graduate work permits in light of labor shortages in certain provinces.

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“The logic for having uncapped or uncontrolled draws from abroad is no longer there,” he said.

The number of Canadians holding post-graduate work permits has surged in recent years, reaching 132,000 new holders in 2022, a 78% increase from four years prior.

The government is also reviewing the temporary foreign worker program, which has been criticized for being abused. Miller aims to reduce the proportion of temporary residents in the country from nearly 7% to 5%.

These changes have sparked concerns about Canada becoming less welcoming to international students. However, Miller argues that this shift will ensure that study visas are seen as a genuine educational opportunity rather than a shortcut to permanent residency.

Despite these efforts, Miller expressed concern about growing racism in Canada, particularly in regions with large immigrant populations. He acknowledged that Canada’s strong consensus on immigration is being eroded.