Majority of immigrants support stricter policies on international student program: OMNI poll

A recent Leger poll, commissioned exclusively for OMNI, reveals that two-thirds of immigrants (67%) support stricter international student policies, particularly among those who have lived in Canada for over six years.

The support is even higher among South Asian immigrants, with 77% backing tougher measures. The growing sentiment reflects concerns over the rapid increase in the number of foreign students, which has contributed to pressures on housing and public services in certain regions.

The tightening of international student policies by the Canadian government has raised concerns among current international students, like Yuehan An, a Chinese national studying in Toronto.

An expressed worries that recent eligibility changes for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, which now restrict access for college students, make it harder for him to stay competitive in the job market.

Similarly, Sherry Kashi, an Iranian PhD candidate, shared her concerns about the increasingly difficult path to permanent residency for international students, leaving many in uncertainty about their futures.

While the government, through Immigration Minister Marc Miller, has acknowledged public support for these measures, it also faces criticism for the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including post-secondary institutions.

Yvonne Su, Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, agrees with the need for a cap but criticizes the lack of communication and collaboration in the rollout of these policies.

She also points to the racial and xenophobic undertones in the discourse surrounding international students, suggesting that these students—often from countries outside the Western world—are unfairly blamed for issues they did not create.

Despite the controversy, the poll shows that immigration is a key issue for many immigrants, with 8 in 10 respondents indicating that immigration will be a crucial factor in the next federal election.

Over half of the immigrants surveyed also said that their vote would be influenced by the immigration policies proposed during the election.

This evolving debate reflects the complex balance Canada must strike between managing immigration effectively and supporting the vital contributions of international students to the economy and educational sector.

As Canada grapples with these challenges, it remains to be seen how these policies will impact both the student experience and the broader community.