Atlantic Canadian universities disproportionately hurt by cap on international students: association

Atlantic colleges and universities warn of talent loss under Canada’s international student cap. (CTV News)

International student enrolment across Atlantic universities is down according to a 2025-26 preliminary survey from the Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

Enrolments of international students across Atlantic universities have declined by nearly 28 per cent (-6,431) year-over-year. Overall enrolments of domestic and international students in undergraduate and graduate programs have declined 4.4 per cent (-4,229) year-over-year, the AAU said in a news release.

The federal government announced a cap on international students in January 2024 to reduce international students by 35 per cent. Since then, the AAU said international student enrolment at Atlantic universities has declined by 36 per cent.

“That’s a big hit for our region, not just for our universities but for the regions economy and population growth strategies,” Peter Halpin AAU executive director told CTV Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas.

Halpin said Atlantic universities economic impact is roughly $2 billion annually for the region, losing international students, especially in smaller communities, is a significant hit.

Halpin said the cap on international students also changes international students and other immigrants perception of Canada as being a welcoming country.

“There’s many other countries in the world, competing hard for the same cohort of students,” he said. “And regrettably Canada is losing out.”

Dr. Paul Mazerolle, the chair of AAU and president of University of New Brunswick said Atlantic Canada is begin hit harder than other parts of the country when it comes to losing international students.

“Atlantic Canada and our universities have been disproportionately hurt by the federal government’s ‘cap’ placed on international students aspiring to pursue higher education in our region,” said Dr. Mazerolle in a news release from the AAU.

Prior to the cap, Atlantic universities retained 60 per cent of international students following their graduation.

“With one of the oldest populations in the country and declining birth rates, our region faces an urgent challenge: how to sustain our businesses and secure our economic future,” said Rhonda Tulk-Lane, CEO of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce.

Tulk-Lane said Atlantic Canada’s progress has been threatened by reduced immigration allocations, including international students.

“Atlantic Canada needs immigrants to support our economy and workforce. The fact is more people are dying than being born in Atlantic Canada; our population simply cannot sustain our economy on its own,” Tulk-Lane continued in the AAU release.

Dr. Mazerolle noted the survey showed a four per cent year-over-year increase in full-time, first-year students (+505).

“The AAU has communicated its concerns about government policies affecting international students to the federal Minister of Immigration and advised her of a proposed regional strategy to create a sustainable international student enrolment program,” said Dr. Mazerolle. “The Minister acknowledged that international students are an important talent pipeline and central to Atlantic Canada’s future population, economic growth, and social and cultural development.”