British Columbia announces measures to curb exploitation of foreign students

After Ontario, the province of British Columbia has joined in cracking down on the misuse of the international student system, announcing on Monday that it is “taking action to eliminate exploitive practices”.

After Ontario, the province of British Columbia has joined in cracking down on the misuse of the international student system, announcing on Monday that it is “taking action to eliminate exploitive practices”.

The province’s Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson posted, “We are protecting students and taking action to eliminate bad actors taking advantage of these students!”

Among the measures announced were a pause on approvals for two years for new post-secondary institutions seeking to enrol international students. British Columbia will also implement more frequent inspections of private post-secondary institutions to ensure that new and improved quality standards are met and that students are properly supported.

Private degree programmes will need to meet higher standards for approval, including higher assessment criteria for degree quality, demonstrated labour-market need for graduates and appropriate resources, and student supports, the province’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills noted in a release.