Foreign student cap: Quebec universities and CEGEPs want to be excluded
The proposed legislation has sparked mixed reactions from international students as well.
As consultations on Bill 74 begin, which aims to limit the number of foreign students in Quebec, universities and CEGEPs are voicing concerns and advocating for exemptions from the proposed caps.
The bill, introduced by Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge, is intended to regulate the influx of international students, which has surged by 140% from 2014 to 2023, with about 124,000 foreign students currently in the province.
While the government says foreign students make up 24% of non-permanent residents, the institutions argue that their presence is crucial to Quebec’s economy and development.
McGill University President Deep Saini emphasized that universities are not to blame for the growth in international students, noting that it was largely driven by government policies.
The joint submission from McGill, Université Laval, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke argues that foreign students make up a small percentage of temporary immigration, but their contributions—especially in research and innovation—are significant.
The Université du Québec and the Fédération des cégeps also support the call for exemptions, fearing that the cap could undermine institutional autonomy and their ability to serve the community.
Roberge, however, remains firm that CEGEPs and universities should not be excluded from the bill, arguing that migration policy for foreign students should not be left to individual institutions.
He emphasized the need for a more centralized approach, where the selection of programs and students is aligned with Quebec's labor market needs.
The bill includes provisions to distribute foreign students across regions, institutions, and programs according to these criteria.
The proposed legislation has sparked mixed reactions from international students as well.
McGill international student Sofia Andrade voiced frustration, noting the opportunity to study in Quebec had been a transformative experience, and expressed concern that the bill could limit future access for qualified students.
The government intends to pass the bill before Christmas, with implementation set for September 2025, though the universities and CEGEPs are pushing for more flexibility in how the policy is applied.
