Achi news desk-
A new online survey done out of Toronto shows that Canadians believe there are too many international students, which is directly correlated to issues like housing.
The “International Students, Understanding Canadian Opinion” survey was conducted by Navigator of a random sample of 1,500 adults in Canada.
The main survey results find that 58 per cent of Canadians feel there are too many international students studying in Canada, up 9 percentage points from a similar survey conducted in October 2023. The survey also shows that 61 percent agree that the reason many international students are admitted to Canada is due to mismanaged funding by post-secondary institutions in the country.
Although a small majority of respondents were in favor of the new cap on international students (52 per cent), 51 per cent of Canadians who took part in the survey feel that programs such as health care followed by agriculture and science should be excluded from that rule.
“This is not surprising,” said the Managing Director of St John’s Newcomer Centre, Mohamed Bagha, on the findings of the survey. “However we are in a period of growth in Atlantic Canada and we are dealing with growth challenges. These are much better challenges to deal with then to address the challenges of decline.”
Bagha points out that the survey does not identify all the benefits international students have brought to their communities. It specifically states how they have helped fill gaps in the labor market, helped fill the region’s schools, and created more investment opportunities for their communities.
“Our region has been one of the last regions to grow in Canada,” Bagha claims. “And today it’s growing because of newcomers to Canada including international students.”
Another key takeaway from the survey is the fact that respondents believe there is a direct correlation between the housing crisis and immigration. 66 percent of those who took part in the survey believe that Canada cannot cope with the recent increase, including the high number of international students being accepted to study and staying in the country following their education.
“We need investment, and we need more housing supply in the market,” said Bagha in response to the idea of newcomers being to blame for the housing problem. “The last time we saw a population surge anything like we’re seeing in Canada today or rather the housing boom was back in the Second World War. I think it’s time we start looking at how we can create more opportunities to increase housing supply and create favorable investment opportunities.”
Bagha adds that smaller communities in Atlantic Canada rely on younger demographics moving into the area for growth. He says that a large part of the young demographic within towns and cities across the region are international students who decide to establish their roots following their education.
