Sask. international students react following IRCC comments on non-compliant students

Damian Smith checked in with Saskatchewan institutions to see how the province is reacting to IRCC saying 47,000 students are living 'illegally' in Canada.

A representative of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recently told the House of Commons, that more than 47,000 international students across Canada may be “non-compliant” with their visas by not attending classes at their post-secondary institutions.

Aiesha Zafar, who’s the head of migration integrity at the agency, said that after speaking to institutions, the IRCC thinks that 47,000 international students could be living “illegally” in Canada.

“We have not yet determined whether or not they are fully non-compliant,” she said. “These are initial results that the institutions provide to us.”

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

At the University of Regina, some students who spoke to CTV News feel as though there is a growing stigma towards international students.

One student, who asked to remain anonymous, offered a message to those that may level criticism at international students in general.

“I would just say fact check yourself, be more sensitive and have more grace for people who you don’t know. I would also say to not paint all of them in the same picture. To consider everyone under the same umbrella is a little unfair.”

The Government of Saskatchewan says most of the reports of non-compliance come from B.C., Ontario and Quebec.

“International students play a very valuable role, they help us address labour gaps that we have,” explained Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. “They provide a stimulation to the economy – they spend $461 million here in Saskatchewan and create 4,300 jobs.”

The provincial government says that 88 per cent of its students are compliant as of 2025, and that about 27 per cent of the province’s 54,000 post-secondary students are international.

Cheveldayoff wonders about the future.

“It is getting more and more difficult because Canada isn’t seen as a place to come for studying anymore because of the policies of the federal government.” he said.

In a statement to CTV News, the University of Regina says that it reports twice a year to the IRCC – and that it is in regular communication with the organization.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic also told CTV News that it conducts two yearly updates, and that support is provided to students at academic risk.