Two of Lethbridge's post-secondary schools are reacting to the announcement that there will be a cap on new student visas. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge College and U of L react to international student cap

Jan 22, 2024 | 3:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge’s two largest post-secondary schools are reacting to the news that the number of international students will be temporarily limited.

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on Monday, January 22, 2023, that there will be a 35 per cent overall reduction in new student visas this year. In 2024, approximately 360,000 study visas are expected to be approved nation-wide.

In a statement from the University of Lethbridge (U of L) to LNN, they say international students are important to the university and the region.

“The U of L has carefully planned its enrolment profile regarding its mix of domestic and international students and works diligently to ensure our students, regardless of origin, have the supports they need to be successful,” reads a statement from the U of L.

In the fall 2023 term, 1,191 international students attended the U of L, making up around 14.7 per cent of the total student population.

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Officials with the U of L say they are actively working with the provincial and federal governments to understand how a national two-year cap on new study permits would impact their institution, their students, and the community.

Lethbridge College was home to around 5,500 students in the fall 2023 term, about 20 per cent of whom came from other parts of the world.

CEO Dr. Brad Donaldson said international students are important to the college and that Lethbridge College has long been an attractive destination for students wanting to study in Canada.

“While it’s too early to know how this two-year cap on international student admissions will affect our operations, we will work closely with the Government of Alberta to ensure we can continue to provide excellent education to all of our students, including as many international students as the provincial allocation allows,” said Donaldson.

The cap on student visas, according to Minister Miller, was the mitigate the impacts that temporary residents were having on the housing market.

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by David Opinko