Hon. Andrew Cardozo: My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, a couple of days ago, the immigration minister announced that there would be a reduction in the number of hours that international students can work when they are in Canada. I believe the number is being reduced from a maximum of 40 hours per week to 25 hours per week. Can you share the purpose and expected outcome of this decision?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Senator, thank you for your question. You might recall that during the pandemic, the government lifted what was then a 20-hour cap for international students to help combat the labour shortages that we experienced in so many sectors, and to allow international students to support themselves during a time of great economic uncertainty. That was the right decision at the time.

In light of the issues of which we’re all aware, the government has revised that number, both to be fair to international students and also to make sure that they can be treated fairly, accommodated and integrated properly by the cities, provinces and even the institutions to which they’re attached.

Senator Cardozo: The government has also looked at the number of international students who are coming, and has made a calculation about the number of international students who can attend publicly supported universities and colleges versus those who can attend private colleges.

Could you share information about that, and whether a federal-provincial agreement is required for that to happen before those numbers can be changed?

Senator Gold: Thank you for your question. My understanding is the government is adopting a recognized institution framework to better identify those institutions that are truly offering educational opportunities to students — and not those that are simply fronts to facilitate entry into Canada and that offer no educational benefits. Working with the provinces and territories — in collaboration with them — that program is being developed and is under way.