The Economic Impacts of Canada’s International Student Cap in Atlantic Canada for 2024/25

Year of Publication: 2024

Author: Gardner Pinfold Consultants

Publication Source: Association of Atlantic Universities

Category:

DOI: https://atlanticuniversities.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/GP-Report_AAU-IRCC-Impacts-2024.pdf

Language: English

This report for the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) assesses the economic impacts of Canada’s recent policy capping international student study permits in the Atlantic provinces for the 2024/25 academic year. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policy, aims to stabilize international student growth for two years by implementing a national 35% reduction in international student permits from 2023, with province‐specific caps weighted according to international student populations. This report compares enrolments, student spending, and economic impacts. The results indicate a decline of 2,983 international students (down 11.4%) across the region. Governments will experience declines in tax revenues of approximately $22 million in provincial taxes and $17 million in federal taxes lost.