COW – Student Cap Impacts on Institutions – May 28, 2026
Education is a provincial and territorial responsibility, including the adequate funding and the allocation of spaces to learning institutions.
Provinces and territories distribute attestation letters to meet their quotas in a manner that meets their respective economic and regional needs.
Although international student volumes are returning to more sustainable levels, the annual intake cap on study permit applications has not been reached. In fact, in 2024 and 2025, provinces and territories did not use all the spaces available to them.
Many factors influence student demand, including how institutions recruit and changes to new study permit requirements, including higher financial requirements.
We made changes to the International Student Program based on consultations with provinces and territories, national education associations, and other key stakeholders.
We will continue to work with the provinces and territories on the issue of allocations since they are responsible for education in their jurisdictions as well as for the regulation of private institutions.
