Please read the following letter sent on July 30, 2025, by Elizabeth May, MP for Saanich–Gulf Islands and Leader of the Green Party of Canada, to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, the Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, and the Minister of Jobs and Families, the Hon. Patty Hajdu, regarding international student study and work permits.
Read the pdf of the letter here
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Jobs and Families
July 30, 2025
Re: International student study and work permits
Dear ministers,
I am writing about my deep concerns regarding international student study and work permits. This letter builds on previous communication with former minister Marc Miller, which I have attached here for your information.
Many constituents and local organisations and businesses have expressed their worries about the impacts of recent changes to the International Student Program and federal immigration policies on our post-secondary institutions, regional labour forces, and international students themselves.
In the past year, IRCC has moved to reduce the overall number of immigrants in Canada and to address cases of abuse in some international student programs (the vast majority being those at private institutions). IRCC’s changes have impacted all post-secondary institutions, with disproportionately negative effects being felt by community colleges like Camosun College and Vancouver Community College which have had to make extreme staffing cuts. In addition, crucial programs and campus services for marginalized communities have been the first to lose funding. Communities across Canada are feeling the reverberations of these cuts in their local economies and cultural fabrics.
British Columbia has had significant reforms related to international students. Our community colleges are not the academic version of the fake diploma factories of other provinces’ strip malls. The BC community colleges I have worked with do amazing work for very little money in supporting and educating – lifting up – Indigenous youth. These programmes are amazing, but they depend on revenue flows from International Student enrollment.
I ask that you take the following actions to reverse the negative impacts of recent changes and strengthen our international education system for the long term:
- Address the backlog in study permit processing, which is currently estimated to take approximately 200 days. This has resulted in students who have accepted offers and relocated then being forced to back out of their schooling due to the delays.
- Expand the number of programs eligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits, particularly at colleges. Current federal NOCs exclude key areas like early childhood care and education, hospitality, culinary arts, dental and business that are vital for regional labour markets.
- Conduct an assessment of the 70% refusal rate on study permit applications with the aim of reducing the rate of arbitrary rejections.
- Create a stabilization fund for post-secondary institutions impacted by these federal policy changes to prevent significant staffing, service and program cuts.
- Launch a federal campaign to rebrand Canada’s current status as an unfriendly country for international students.
Canada has historically been a top choice for international students to lay down roots for the long term. A one size fits all approach is deeply unjust. For international students, access to post-graduate work permits helps Canada’s economy and significant skills shortages. By taking these actions, the federal government will stimulate local growth and incentivize international students to stay and contribute to our cultural mosaic and economy.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth May, O.C.
Member of Parliament
Saanich-Gulf Islands
Leader of the Green Party of Canada