There will be fewer international students in most Manitoba post-secondary classrooms next year, but the number could have been even lower.
Education Minister Renée Cable said the federal government initially advised provincial officials that only 15,232 international students would be allowed to study here this year as part of a national cap announced earlier this year.
But late Friday, after Cable said she pushed for more during meetings, Manitoba was told it could accept 3,420 more students.
“I’m super-proud of that,” she said Monday.
“The original number, to be clear, was not ideal and, rather than screaming into the wind and carrying on, we decided we would work with the federal government and try to move that number. And we did.”
It means instead of an international student decline of 22 per cent, it will be 10 per cent.
“At the end of the day, first and foremost, we think about the students and the student experience,” Cable said.
“I know some other places say it is a back door to immigration. We want to be a front door. We know that our institutions are delivering quality education. I guess we were compelling in relaying that.”
The federal government decided to reduce the number of foreign students entering the country after critics turned up the heat, arguing that the 404,668 currently studying at Canadian facilities are exacerbating the housing shortage and driving up prices.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said last week it will approve only about 292,000 study permits, down 28 per cent.
“They’ve used a blunt instrument to tackle this,” said Mark Frison, president and CEO of Assiniboine Community College, shortly before the numbers were released by the province.
Assiniboine has 2,959 international students this year, out of a total student population of 9,878 students. Next year there will be only 1,190.
“It’ll mean fewer graduates for certain, particularly in Winnipeg,” Frison said. “Most of those would have been entering programs in business and early childhood education.
“These students are in programs that operate on a cost-recovery basis, so while there will be a financial impact, I’m more concerned about our ability to supply the labour market with the people it needs.”
International students from 121 countries represented about 22 per cent of the University of Manitoba’s overall full- and part-time student population of nearly 31,000 in the fall term.
The university has been allocated 7,540 international students for the fall.
“The reduced numbers will have an impact, but we don’t yet have full clarity on exactly what kind,” said spokesperson Eleanor Coopsammy.
Red River College Polytechnic currently has about 3,100 international students out of its more than 18,000 students, but registration will drop by about 400 in the fall.
“Our programs and credentials are tied directly into labour-market needs here in Manitoba and international students who graduate from RRC Polytech are helping contribute to the economic growth of Manitoba in a variety of sectors,” spokesperson Emily Doer said.
However, at the University of Winnipeg, where approximately 1,600 international students — about 18 per cent of its population — are nearing the end of their cyber attack-interrupted term — the number is going up next fall; the school’s allotment is rising to 2,341.
“International students are an important part of our diverse campus,” said university spokesperson Caleb Zimmerman.
“Their unique perspectives and experiences enrich our academic programs and make our university a better place for everyone. We look forward to continuing to provide an excellent quality of education for every student who joins our community.”
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
Kevin Rollason
Reporter
Kevin Rollason is one of the more versatile reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press. Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Rollason can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.