·     The Ontario government, a Canadian province, has listed priorities for the issuance of study permits to international students 

·      The government said that 96% of all study permits for international students will be given to public universities and colleges in Ontario 

·      The move is to strengthen Ontario’s educational and postsecondary institutions across the Province 

The Ontario government, a Canadian province, has said its allocation of international study permits will prioritise postsecondary school programmes at public institutions. 

The statement was disclosed by Ontario’s new agency, which said the programme aims to better prepare graduates for high-demand jobs that align with the Province’s labour market needs. 

Colleges and universities in Ontario excluded 

The development means that some colleges, such as career schools, will not get any study permit applications from international students. 

The move follows an earlier decision by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to impose a limit on issuing study permits to international students nationwide for 2024 and 2025. 

The restriction by IRCC targets undergraduate international students as the limit does not apply to international students enrolled in primary and secondary schools and those pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. 

A statement by Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities, said that the IRCC is protecting the integrity of Ontario’s postsecondary education system by attracting the best and brightest international students to the Province to study in critical areas of the economy. 

According to reports, the changes indicate that 96% of all study permits for international students will be given to public universities and colleges in Ontario, and the rest will spread among language schools, private universities and other institutions in Ontario. 

Government to prioritise in-demand skills 

The distribution excludes career colleges, such as private institutions, from getting international student study permit applications. 

The statement said Ontario’s provincial government has decided to give priority programmes in several high-demand areas, including skilled trades, health, human resources, science, technology, engineering, mathematics, hospitality, and childcare.

Also, Ontario will prioritise French-language speaking intakes as it is essential to meet employer demand for workers with French-language skills.