Toronto, In response to an ongoing housing affordability crisis, Canada is contemplating reforms to its temporary residency programs, including those for international students and workers on visas. The Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, and Communities, Sean Fraser, emphasized the need for continuous evaluation and reforms in temporary residency programs to address the housing challenge.
Fraser, formerly Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, highlighted the concern arising from the housing affordability crisis in an interview with Global News. The proposed reforms aim to strike a balance between accommodating the influx of international students and workers and mitigating the strain on the country’s housing stock.
In recent announcements, Marc Miller, the current Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, outlined measures related to international students. These include doubling the amount required in a Canadian bank account at the time of applying for a study permit. For study permit applications received on or after January 1 next year, a single applicant will need to show CA$20,635 (approximately ₹12.7 lakh), up from CA$10,000 (about ₹6.14 lakh).
Miller emphasized the revision of the cost-of-living threshold to reflect the true expenses for international students. Additionally, warnings were issued about potential study permit caps for institutions lacking adequate housing arrangements for incoming international students.
Canada has experienced a substantial influx of newcomers, with Indian nationals accounting for a significant portion. The pressure on housing stock has resulted in sharp increases in rents, with the average rent for an apartment reaching CA$2,125 (approximately ₹1.30 lakh), reflecting an 11.2% increase in a year, according to the December 2023 report by rentals.ca.
The proposed immigration reforms reflect Canada’s efforts to manage the impact of a high intake of international students and workers on housing and strive for a sustainable and balanced approach.
