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Quebec schools call for exemption from foreign student cap, but minister unmoved

Click to play video: 'Legault government’s bill to limit international students doesn’t sit well with English universities'
Legault government’s bill to limit international students doesn’t sit well with English universities
WATCH: Four major universities are asking to be exempt from the Quebec government's plans to cap the number of international students. Bill 74, which aims to put a limit on the number of students in place, is undergoing consultations at the National Assembly this week. Global's Franca Mignacca has more – Nov 5, 2024

Quebec universities and public colleges say they should be exempt from the government’s plan to reduce the number of international students in the province, but the immigration minister says that’s unlikely.

The schools say a bill tabled last month would hurt their ability to attract top talent from around the world.

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But Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge says it’s “not reasonable” to think the government could cut the number of foreign students in Quebec without including universities and public colleges.

The bill would give the government new power to cap foreign student enrolment at Quebec schools based on region, institution and program of study.

Roberge has said the bill is necessary to prevent schools from selling Canadian citizenship, but the universities and public colleges say they aren’t the problem.

There are currently about 124,000 foreign students in Quebec, which Roberge says is a 140 per cent increase in the last decade.

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