International Student Enrolment Cap Deals Heavy Blow To Atlantic Universities

A national headdress connected study permits has slashed world enrolments astatine Atlantic universities by much than a 4th successful conscionable 1 year.

International student numbers fell 28 per cent crossed nan region’s universities successful 2025, a nonaccomplishment of 6,431 students, according to a caller study from nan Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

That driblet stands successful crisp opposition to nan 5.4-per cent diminution reported astatine nan University of Manitoba, 1 of nan fewer different Canadian post-secondary institutions to merchandise its 2025 figures truthful acold this year.

In 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a nationalist headdress connected world study permits, aiming for a 35 per cent reduction. At nan time, then-immigration curate Marc Miller said nan world student strategy was group up to pull talent to capable cardinal roles successful nan labour market, but he had to make nan trim because nan programme sewage “overheated.”

However, international students salary substantially much successful tuition than Canadian citizens and nan drastic simplification successful their numbers has severely impacted universities’ finances, successful immoderate cases starring to layoffs.

The argumentation was expected to consequence successful astir 9,400 less world students from Atlantic universities crossed Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Adding to that, nan AAU says tougher visa rules and rising costs person taken a superior toll connected Canada’s estimation abroad.

“Canada’s marque internationally has been severely tarnished by these national authorities argumentation changes. The state is nary longer seen arsenic welcoming by world students — they’re making choices to spell to different destinations astir nan world,” said AAU spokesperson Peter Halpin.

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and nan Atlantic Economic Council person warned nan nonaccomplishment of world students will wounded economical growth.

According to nan AAU, Atlantic Canada has historically retained astir 60 per cent of world graduates, a cardinal facet successful offsetting nan region’s aging population.

“That has a devastating effect not conscionable connected universities, but connected nan region’s system and connected nan region’s organization maturation strategies arsenic well,” said Halpin.

Trending Now

In response, nan AAU is starring an inaugural called Atlantic Education Destination, to create a location world strategy to boost student enrolment.

“We’re very hopeful that successful nan not-too-distant early we tin bring this projected task to fruition,” Halpin said.

Provincial governments cautious connected support

Meanwhile, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said further backing for post-secondary institutions shouldn’t beryllium expected successful nan adjacent term.

“We’re having conversations astir support, but you would person heard maine coming speak astir wellness attraction astatine nan aforesaid clip arsenic we effort to retool our economy,” Holt said.

“So, we’re having difficult conversations pinch nan post-secondary assemblage correct now.”

In a connection to Global News, EduNova president and CEO Andrew Champagne cautioned that nan region’s demographic challenges request a coordinated approach.

“Atlantic Canada faces unsocial demographic challenges. And, without a sustainable and location attack to world education, migration and retention, organization diminution will proceed to put unit connected section economies and employers’ expertise to find nan talent they request to win astatine location and successful world markets,” Champagne wrote.