Maple News reports that Ontario and British Columbia (B.C.) are implementing sweeping reforms aimed at strengthening the integrity of post-secondary education, particularly for international students. These provincial initiatives come amid rising concerns about program quality, student outcomes, and exploitation by unregulated recruiters and institutions.
Ontario announced it will collaborate with both the federal government and educational sector partners to crack down on predatory recruiters who lure international students with misleading promises of employment or permanent residency. The province also plans to scrutinize post-secondary programs that enroll large numbers of international students to ensure alignment with Ontario’s labor market needs.
To better understand academic outcomes and improve decision-making, Ontario will enhance its collection and response rates for student outcome surveys. This data will support ongoing efforts to improve the student experience and program quality.
In a significant move, Ontario will also freeze the approval of new partnerships between public colleges and private institutions. These so-called curriculum licensing arrangements have recently come under fire for offering limited institutional oversight. Following a policy change from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), students in these joint programs are now ineligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs), highlighting concerns over educational accountability and immigration loopholes.
British Columbia is launching its own quality control plan by pausing the approval of new Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) until February 2026. Only DLIs are authorized to admit international students in Canada. Currently, B.C. hosts 276 DLIs—ranking third nationally behind Quebec and Ontario.
As post-secondary education falls under provincial jurisdiction in Canada, there is variation in DLI designation standards across the country. B.C.’s moratorium aims to allow time for a thorough review and improvement of oversight processes, particularly for private and for-profit institutions.
Both provinces have made it clear that the goal is not to curb international enrollment but to ensure students receive a high-quality education that leads to meaningful employment opportunities. These efforts are part of a broader national discussion around improving outcomes and accountability in international education—a sector that plays a vital role in Canada’s economy and immigration pipeline.
With these updates, students planning to study in Canada may face more stringent checks but can also expect improved standards and clearer pathways to professional success.