For Whom Are These International Student Regulations Intended?

As we approach 2026, a bitter cold snap is blowing through the Canadian education sector. George Brown College, a representative institution in downtown Toronto, has decided to abolish its internal English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program starting in 2026. Similarly, colleges in other regions, such as MITT and RRC, are closing or drastically reducing their language schools. Countless students who had planned on "Conditional Acceptance" through language training because they lacked official English scores have suddenly lost their way and are left bewildered.

It is not just language programs that are affected. Even popular colleges like Seneca and Centennial are temporarily suspending admission for new students starting in 2026 for popular programs or departments that had disproportionately high ratios of international students. Literally, the door to studying abroad has physically narrowed.

Complex political and social currents lie behind this phenomenon. A while ago, when anti-immigrant sentiment peaked ahead of the US presidential election, voices in Canada grew louder saying, "Too many immigrants have driven up house prices and made life difficult," causing agitation in political circles. Although Canada seemed to show unity against the threat of tariffs after Trump's election, the government had already drawn the sword of "international student regulations."

The results were devastating. The Provincial Attestation Letters (PAL), which the government had loudly allocated, are piling up unused because there are no students coming. As the perception that "Canada no longer welcomes international students" spread, students turned their footsteps to other countries like Australia or Europe. The economic backlash from this is hitting the Canadian economy hard. Many university staff have lost their jobs, and local commerce is losing its vitality. Only now does Canadian society seem to painfully realize that international students were not simple "visitors" but important pillars supporting the economy.

So, has Canada lost its appeal as a study abroad destination? I want to firmly say, "That is not the case." There is an investment adage: "Buy when there is fear, and sell when when there is euphoria." Studying abroad is also about timing.

Looking at the recently announced Canadian immigration plan, the permanent residency target for 2025 has been slightly reduced to 395,000. However, demographically, Canada is a country that cannot sustain its economy without immigrants. If international students and immigrants decrease sharply as they are now, a severe labor shortage will inevitably occur in 2-3 years. At that time, the only solution the government can take is to significantly increase "immigration invitations" again.

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