City council is set to advocate to the federal government in hopes they reconsider their position on the international student permit cap with hopes the government chooses to consult with post-secondary institutions and municipalities in Northwestern Ontario.
The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee requested that council do so following a February 14 meeting where the cap was discussed.
The committee has received concerns from Lakehead University, Confederation College, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. The post-secondary institutions have concerns about generating funds amid the tuition freeze, and rising costs while the CEDC and chamber are worried about a detrimental impact on the workforce as the service industry relies heavily on international students to ensure the continuation of operations.
“It’s incredibly concerning because this was sort of a knee-jerk reaction to deal with the housing crisis,” said Councillor and Chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee Kristen Oliver. “And I’m not denying that we certainly have a housing crisis issue, but I think that there’s probably other strategies that the federal government should be looking at in terms of implementation on an immigration strategy.”
The international student cap was put in place due to housing, and ultimately that was the main concern of council when discussing potentially advocating against it.
“As the councillor for McKellar Ward, I think one of my top three concerns I hear is rooming houses, and the lack of housing for foreign students, it’s seven, eight, 10 people living in homes and I get complaints from the neighbours often,” said councillor Brian Hamilton. “These poor students in my mind are struggling to find housing.”
Hamilton added as an employer he also sees a level of desperation from students seeking employment, and expressed he had worries about there being enough jobs or housing, although ultimately saying he would support the request.
The choice to advocate to the federal government is still pending approval at city council, but if it passes, council will join Lakehead University, Confederation College, the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, and the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce, in requesting a change of course on the international student cap.
