OCC Advocates for Revision of Federal Student Permit Policy

(TORONTO – January 26, 2024) – Today, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s President and CEO, Daniel Tisch, released the following statement in reaction to the federal government’s plans to arbitrarily reduce the number of study permits for international students:

“With Ontario’s substantial growth in international student enrollment, this cap could slash study permits by approximately 50%, threatening Ontario’s reputation as a leading global destination for study and work, potentially damaging our labour market, post-secondary education, and regional economies.

“While we agree it’s important to tackle problems in the student visa system, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce questions this policy’s effectiveness because it fails to differentiate between responsible institutions and those exploiting international students.

“We urge federal and provincial policymakers to find a more common-sense approach, including implementing the recommendations from Ontario’s Blue-Ribbon Panel report, which highlights the precarious financial state of post-secondary education. It’s crucial to maintain a strong, skilled talent pipeline in Ontario that supports our labour market needs, guarantees student access, and upholds the quality of post-secondary education.”

-30-

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province.

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager of Public Affairs
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255