Atlantic Canada needs international students

In 2023, more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate international students from 150 countries around the world chose to pursue higher education in Atlantic Canada.

Why did they choose to come to our universities when they have other options?

According to a recent research project prepared by Ather H. Akbari at Saint Mary’s University, international students cited “cost of living, tuition fees, academic reputation, value of qualification and flexibility and duration of programs as top reasons.”

Overarching the positive attributes of the region and its universities cited by survey respondents, is Canada’s strong international reputation as a welcoming country.

Regrettably, that is no longer the case. Policy changes affecting international students introduced by Immigration, Refugees Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in late 2023 (a 100 per cent increase in the cost-of-living requirement) and January 2024 (a “cap” on new visa permits), have tarnished Canada’s ‘brand’ and reputation among international students.

Read also: Universities struggle to keep up with constant international student policy changes

International students have choices, and in 2024, as a direct result of the IRCC policy changes, nearly 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students chose not to come to many Atlantic universities. According to surveys conducted by AAU, that represents a year-over-year decline of more than 11 per cent, from 26,200 students in 2023 -to – 23,250 in 2024.

The negative implications of such a major decline in just one year are significant and projected to worsen in 2025 with IRCC’s most recent decision in September to introduce a further 10 per cent reduction in new study permits for not just undergraduate students but now master’s and PhD students as well.

Read also: Federal government further reduces cap on international student study permits

The impacts of this year’s loss of international students are wide-ranging. Atlantic universities have a greater dependence on international students than other parts of Canada. These students represent, on average, 30 per cent of institutional enrolments versus less than 20 per cent in the rest of Canada.

The first, most obvious impact is financial: the loss of these students is projected to have a regional revenue and spending loss of $163 million. Without the cap on enrolments, international student spending this year would have totaled to at least $1.3 billion!

For many years, the decisions of young people from all over the world to choose to study at our Atlantic universities have led to the internationalization of our campuses and the communities in which they are located. These students are highly engaged in all aspects of student life and university governance.

Many universities’ student governments and student advocacy associations are led by international students, and many are also highly engaged in local community service, such as volunteering at food banks.

In short, international students have a powerful influence on the socio-cultural development of campuses and communities.

What is often overlooked is the critical role international students play in regional population growth and business creation strategies. Atlantic Canada retains 56 per cent of international students following their graduation.

Of those who completed education programs (100 per cent), surveyed in Dr. Akbari’s study, “almost two-thirds found their first job in the province of study. Over half were working in their field of study, and two-thirds were permanently employed.”

According to Springboard Atlantic Inc, in an average year, 113 start-ups are spun out of the region’s research universities: 60 per cent are led by international students!

International students are an important and growing key stream of new citizens in the Atlantic Immigration Program, providing the top talent our region needs to successfully compete nationally and globally.

The federal government needs to urgently rebuild Canada’s hard-earned reputation as a welcoming country for international students so that our region can continue to grow and prosper.

Together with the region’s four provincial governments, we must also work in close alignment to ensure IRCC officials, and our own federal political representatives, fully understand that the continued attraction and retention of international students is critical to successful regional economic, social and cultural development, and population growth.

Peter Halpin is the executive director of the Association of Atlantic Universities.