Selkirk College, a prominent post-secondary institution in British Columbia, is grappling with the implications of a newly announced cap on international study permits, which has placed the school’s future programming in doubt. With the Canadian federal government imposing additional reductions to the number of international students allowed into the country, institutions like Selkirk are left to reconsider their plans for the coming years.
In September, the federal government unveiled a 10% cut in the number of international study permits to be granted nationwide for 2025. This measure follows an earlier 35% reduction already enacted in 2024. By next year, the total number of study permits will be capped at just 437,000—a dramatic decrease that is expected to reverberate throughout Canada’s higher education system, including at smaller institutions like Selkirk College.
Addressing National Housing and Affordability Issues
The Federal Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, which oversees international study permits, stated that the reduction is part of a broader strategy to address growing concerns over housing and affordability in the country. With Canada facing significant housing shortages in major urban areas, the government has sought to control the number of international students arriving each year, citing pressures on accommodation and local infrastructure.
However, Selkirk College President Maggie Matear has expressed concerns that these policies may lead to unintended consequences, particularly for rural and smaller communities like those surrounding Selkirk College.
“It’s a little bit disappointing to us because two years ago, the approach was that we welcome students and that we don’t just want them to study here; we want them to stay here,” Matear said, reflecting on the shift in national policy. “This is quite a turnaround from that statement, and I think this is going to have some unintended consequences on communities, especially in the rural and northern parts of the country.”
Significant Reduction in International Student Enrollment
Selkirk College has already begun to feel the effects of the cap. In 2024, the college issued just 268 attestation letters to international students, far fewer than the 857 it had originally planned. This significant reduction follows a broader downward trend in international student enrollment at Selkirk, which once peaked at 1,024 students in 2019. Today, the college hosts just 750 international students—a number that is likely to fall further as the federal cap continues to take effect.
The drastic decrease in enrollment has raised concerns not only about the college’s financial sustainability but also about the overall vibrancy of its campus. International students have long played a critical role in diversifying classrooms and fostering cross-cultural exchanges, a point emphasized by Matear.
“International students make such a big difference to the diversity in our classrooms and the ability to expose domestic students to different ideas and cultures,” she said. “It also has a huge impact on our community when we don’t have newcomers coming to support regional needs.”
International Perception of Canada is Shifting
While the federal cap is one factor driving the decline in international student numbers, Matear believes that Canada’s changing international reputation is also playing a role. According to her, the country’s newfound restrictions and perceived lack of openness are discouraging students from applying to Canadian institutions, including Selkirk College.
“Part of it is not necessarily the caps; it’s that there’s been a chill overseas on the idea of coming to Canada. We’re not being seen as the welcoming, open-door place that we were before,” Matear explained. “So even though there is a cap of 35 percent less, we’re not going to come near that because students are choosing to apply to other jurisdictions that may not be experiencing some of the uncertainties that Canada is right now.”
Countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, which have either maintained or expanded their international student quotas, are becoming increasingly attractive alternatives for students who may have otherwise chosen Canada. These countries’ reputations as welcoming destinations for international students stand in stark contrast to the growing restrictions in Canada, further compounding the issue.
Selkirk College’s Programming in Limbo
Given the significant decline in student applications, Selkirk College is now faced with the challenge of reassessing its programming and future plans. Matear emphasized that the institution is trying to be as transparent as possible, though decisions will be delayed until more clarity emerges regarding the long-term impact of the federal cap.
“We know that any decisions we make along these lines have to be really carefully considered to ensure that we’re still meeting our mission, vision, and commitments to the community and the students, but we don’t know what that looks like yet,” she said.
Selkirk College is hoping to have more details by the end of the year, at which point it plans to develop a more concrete strategy for moving forward. In the meantime, the college’s leadership team is closely monitoring the evolving situation, both in terms of federal immigration policies and their impact on the institution’s student body.
Broader Implications for Canadian Higher Education
The situation at Selkirk College is emblematic of a broader issue facing many smaller Canadian institutions, particularly those located in rural areas. For these schools, international students represent a vital source of revenue as well as cultural enrichment. Without a steady influx of international students, institutions like Selkirk face a host of challenges, from shrinking class sizes to reduced financial resources.
The federal government’s decision to cap study permits has been met with criticism from some quarters, including advocates for higher education and immigration reform. They argue that limiting international students could have unintended economic consequences, particularly for regions that rely on these students to support local economies. Additionally, critics point out that the government’s efforts to address housing shortages by reducing international student numbers may not adequately solve the root causes of the housing crisis.
Matear echoed this sentiment, noting that the new restrictions disproportionately affect rural institutions, which often rely on international students to meet regional labor demands.
“It’s disappointing to us to hear that we are being painted with the same brush as a few bad actors in some of the cities,” she said, referring to concerns that Canada’s largest cities may be driving the housing and affordability crisis, rather than rural areas like those around Selkirk.
Looking Ahead
As the federal cap on international student permits continues to take hold, institutions like Selkirk College are left to navigate an uncertain future. While the college remains committed to serving its students and community, it is clear that significant challenges lie ahead. The combination of fewer international students, a shifting global reputation, and the need for program adjustments may force Selkirk and similar institutions to make difficult decisions in the coming months.
Nevertheless, Matear and her team remain hopeful that they will find a way forward that aligns with the college’s mission and values. For now, the institution will continue to adapt to the evolving landscape of Canadian higher education and await further developments from the federal government.
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