Canada’s Housing Minister considers limits on student visas

The Canadian government is deliberating the possibility of implementing limitations on foreign student visas, as voiced by Minister of Housing Sean Fraser. This proposed action comes in response to mounting apprehensions regarding the surging housing costs.

The backdrop for this consideration is the recent upsurge in student visas, fueled by Canada’s allure to international scholars, including those from Nigeria, enticed by the country’s favorable work permit prospects.

Official records obtained by Nairametrics reveal that the tally of active visas held by foreign students surpassed 800,000 in 2022, marking a substantial surge from the 275,000 recorded in 2012.

Fraser, who previously held the position of immigration minister and assumed his current role just last month, indicated that the pronounced influx of students is notably exerting pressure on specific housing markets. When queried about the potential imposition of a cap on foreign student numbers, Fraser asserted that while the government has yet to reach a decision on the matter, exploring this avenue is a reasonable step.

“I believe that’s a course of action we should examine,” Fraser remarked. He went on to elaborate, “We’ve got temporary immigration programs that were never designed to see such explosive growth in such a short period,” alluding to the challenges posed by the sudden surge. Fraser made these comments while speaking to reporters during a cabinet retreat in Prince Edward Island, situated in the Atlantic province.

Critics from the official opposition Conservative Party argue that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has inadequately addressed the housing quandary.

Canada, with a population of roughly 39.5 million, has announced plans to welcome an unprecedented 500,000 new permanent residents in 2025. Fraser, however, posited that curtailing the influx of newcomers wouldn’t provide a comprehensive solution to the issue at hand.