Thank you.

On behalf of the Fédération des cégeps and its 48 members, I want to thank the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration for offering me this opportunity to appear. My name is Annie Claude Laflamme, and I am the assistant director of studies and student life at the Cégep de Jonquière. I am also the co‑chair of the international affairs committee of the Fédération des cégeps, which is the voluntary association of the 48 public colleges in Quebec. The Fédération promotes those colleges and represents their interests, and offers services and advice to support the CEGEPs in developing and in achieving their mission. It is also the official spokesperson and coordinating body for the CEGEPs, which, I would note, are the first level of postsecondary education in Quebec, this being why we are here today.

Since the reform of the international students program was announced by IRCC, which is Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the consequences, whether immediate or anticipated, have generated serious concerns. In one year, no fewer than five major announcements have been made, with no details or coordination, sending a series of shock waves through the institutions and among the international student population. The measures announced include imposing a national cap on new student permit applications, changing the eligibility criteria for post-graduation work permits, and bringing in closed study permits. These are the reasons why the Fédération wants to bring the real risks involved in this reform to the committee's attention and provide details about figures about which there may be been some generalization.

The CEGEP system has experienced reasonable, controlled and ethical growth in its international student population over the years and does not present any risk to immigration programs or threaten the integrity of those programs. In 2023, that student population represented less than 5% of the total number of students in our system, accounting for about 9,000 students. That is the equivalent of 1.3% of study permit holders in Canada, a figure that is quite simply marginal. That constant growth has been achieved with a respectful eye to the regions' capacity to absorb newcomers and to labour market needs, and is in line with what the federal government and communities in Quebec have asked. The CEGEPs are therefore responsible actors and allies, and not the cause of the challenges IRCC must meet.

I also believe it is essential to add that the CEGEPs admit this student population with a view to the collective interest, not financial gain. Our system contributes to ameliorating labour market problems. This commitment can be seen in industries like forestry and early childhood education, and also healthcare. Since 2022, 467 graduates from outside Canada have entered and strengthened the healthcare system. In this case, what is striking is not the growth in the number of foreign students, but the growth in the significant contribution made to public services by CEGEPs. Mr. Miller has also repeatedly stated his objective of encouraging francophone immigration to Canada. I would note that the vast majority of our student population is francophone and attends francophone CEGEPs.

Transcript

Discussions (0)