—From the desks of President Maggie Matear and Vice-President, Education & Students, Taya Whitehead

On January 22, the Government of Canada announced a national cap on international student study permit applications for the next two years. We’re currently working with the provincial deputy minister and her team to better understand how this might impact Selkirk College.

International students are a welcome and vital part of our college community. We’re fortunate that learners from across the world choose to pursue their educational goals in this incredible region of Canada. We’re proud of all our alumni, whether they stay here in Canada or take what they’ve learned back to their home country.

Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has suggested that a rapid increase in the current number of international students is putting pressure on housing, health care and other services. The goal of this shift in federal immigration policy is to support sustainable population growth moving forward and to “better protect international students from bad actors.” A focus of the announcement has been placed on private colleges. Provincial Minister of Advanced Education & Future Skills Selina Robinson has stated that public post-secondaries are subject to more government oversight that ensures the best interest of international students. 

Currently, the federal government is working with provincial counterparts to implement the new measures. There is no impact to international students who are currently in our programs and those who already have visas. In the coming weeks and months, Selkirk College will continue to be part of the conversation with provincial and federal policy makers. Though we may expect some repercussions on our college community, we’re confident that the end result will be in the best interest of both students and the public post-secondary sector.

We understand that there may be some concern on behalf of both students and employees. It’s essential that we continue to champion the benefits of international education. Those who choose to study at Selkirk College are an integral part of our region’s social, cultural and economic fabric. What remains constant is that the inclusive foundation we have established at the college will continue into the future.

As the process unfolds, we will continue to communicate impacts to Selkirk College. You can learn more about the details of this announcement at the IRCC website and the response from the sector at the Colleges & Institutes Canada website. If you have any questions, please email us.