Maple News reports that the Auditor General of Canada has initiated a formal audit of the country’s international student program, amid growing apprehension over its long-term viability and the strain it may be placing on Canada’s infrastructure and immigration system. The move comes after years of rapid program expansion, mounting housing shortages, and a surprising spike in asylum claims from former international students.
The audit, currently in its early planning phase, is expected to deliver its findings to Parliament in 2026. Though full details have yet to be finalized, Auditor General Karen Hogan’s office has confirmed that the process has begun. Policy experts say the scope is likely to include study permit caps, student work rules, the quality of educational institutions, and how the program may be influencing broader immigration patterns.
Canada welcomed a record-high number of international students in 2023—over one million, triple the volume seen a decade earlier. While these students bring significant financial contributions to postsecondary institutions, the influx has exposed systemic shortcomings. Conservative voices, including party leader Pierre Poilievre, argue that the surge has overwhelmed health care systems, worsened housing shortages, and contributed to youth unemployment. Prime Minister Mark Carney has signaled support for a course correction, asking his cabinet to introduce more sustainable immigration practices.
One of the most concerning trends is the sharp rise in asylum claims from international students. In 2024, more than 20,000 students sought asylum, nearly doubling from the previous year and representing a sixfold increase compared to 2019. The pace hasn’t slowed; the first quarter of 2025 alone saw 5,500 new claims, up 22% year over year. This suggests that some students may be using Canada’s student visa system as a stepping stone to claim refugee status.
To address mounting pressure, the federal government capped the number of study permits in early 2024, aiming for a one-third reduction that year. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the number of study permits has fallen to 516,000 in 2024 from 681,000 in 2023, with the 2025 target now set at 437,000. This significant cut is intended to help alleviate strain on housing markets and public services.
However, the cap has triggered financial setbacks for many colleges and universities that rely heavily on international tuition fees. Some institutions have paused hiring or laid off staff. Private colleges, in particular, are under heightened scrutiny for allegedly expanding too rapidly and compromising academic quality in their eagerness to recruit overseas students.
Experts say the Auditor General’s review could help reset national policy around international education. Dr. Mikal Skuterud, an economics professor at the University of Waterloo, called the audit a chance to reflect on policy missteps and chart a more balanced course for future growth. “The government used a blunt tool—capping permits—but understanding how we got here is essential. A comprehensive review by the Auditor General could be extremely valuable,” he said.
As Canada continues to depend on international students for both talent and revenue, the findings of this audit are expected to shape the future of the program. Meanwhile, educational institutions, policymakers, and international students alike await the results and potential reforms that may follow.