Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement – Annex E: International Students 2025

Preamble

This Annex supports the shared goal of protecting the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program while supporting responsible management of international student intake.

The Parties agree that maintaining a controlled approach that focuses on program integrity and the high quality of education is a priority for each.

Both parties recognize that the federal government is responsible for issuance of student permits. Ontario is responsible for issuing attestation letters.

The Parties recognize that the Memorandum of Understanding on the International Student Program between Canada and Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, takes precedence over this Annex, guiding the administration of the International Student Program, including Canada and Ontario’s agreed upon criteria for designated learning institutions, in order to host international students.

In addition to bilateral work, the Parties agree to continue collaborating with other provinces and territories to address multilateral objectives related to international students and temporary resident volumes more broadly.

1.0 Purpose

• 1.1 The purpose of this Annex is to facilitate cooperation between the Parties in matters related to Canada’s International Student Program, including the exploration of issues and decisions that may affect the integrity of Canada’s International Student Program and the entry of international students from diverse source countries to regions across Ontario.

2.0 Objectives

• 2.1 The objectives of this Annex are to:
  • 2.1.1. Strengthen the integrity and sustainability of the International Student Program through collaboration, consultation and information sharing.
  • 2.1.2. Ensure mechanisms are in place for effective information sharing, in accordance with applicable federal and provincial legislation and policies, as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on the International Student Program between Canada and Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.
  • 2.1.3. Collaborate on identifying measures that support the shared goals of the Parties, particularly with respect to maintaining program integrity, aligning post-graduation work pathways to provincial and regional economies, and facilitating positive outcomes of study, work and immigration for international students in regions across Ontario.

3.0 Information Sharing

• 3.1 All information sharing between the Parties shall be in accordance with section 9.4 of the General Provisions of this Agreement.
• 3.2 The Parties recognize the importance of information sharing to support the integrity of the International Student Program, and acknowledge that specifics regarding information exchange will occur beyond the scope of this Annex.

4.0 Governance

• 4.1 In accordance with section 9.1 of the General Provisions of this Agreement, the AMC will determine the appropriate mandate, structure, and reporting requirements for the implementation of this Annex.
• 4.2 The Focal Points for the purpose of communication and notification pursuant to this Annex are:
  1. for Canada: the Director, Program Integrity and Outreach Division, International Student Program Branch, Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada; and
  2. for Ontario: the Director, Global Talent and Settlement Services Division, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
• 4.3 The purpose of this Annex requires an intergovernmental approach, which will consist of members from the Government of Ontario drawn from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, the federal department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and from Ontario post-secondary institutions, as required and where appropriate. These members will each consult with other ministries or departments where applicable to specific initiatives established under this Annex, For the purpose of this Annex, the contacts from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security include:
  1. the Director, Postsecondary Education Policy Branch, Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security;
  2. the Director, Financial Policy Branch, Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security; and
  3. the Director, Career Colleges Branch, Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security.