Prioritize Canadian students

AI summary

Petitioners ask the federal government to prioritize Canadian students, tie international scholarships to labour gaps, and require public funding breakdowns and impact assessments. The government responds it will renew student supports and increase transparency.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the House of Commons We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: Whereas: Young Canadians are struggling to find jobs, afford housing and pay for education, yet the current Liberal government continues to prioritize international programs and foreign partnerships over the needs of young Canadians. According to ICC Immigration, in March of 2026, the Federal government committed more than $100 million in scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada. While the Federal government needs to continue to increase applicants' acceptance to current projected gaps with the labour markets, it should prioritize the needs of its domestic students first. The federal government continues to expand these initiatives that are not focused on providing opportunities for Canadian students. Meanwhile here at home, Canadian students are facing deplorable cuts and restrictions to programs such as OSAP, with federal changes to the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program, including a reported reduction in student grant funding announced in Budget 2025, have raised serious concerns that domestic aid for students will be reduced or restructured in ways that increase student debt and limit access to post-secondary education, making it harder for Canadian youth to afford their own education. This sends the message to Canadian youth that opportunities in their own country come second. Therefore, we the undersigned, call on the Government of Canada to: Prioritize public policy and funding that protect and expand access to education and work for Canadian youth, especially low and middle income students, before committing equivalent public resources to large international scholarship initiatives. Tie accepted applications to current and projected gaps within the workforce, and to create pathways for those who have completed their education within Canada to help fill current gaps within Canadian labour markets. Require that any large international scholarship or partnership program include a clear funding breakdown, a public assessment of likely effects on domestic student housing and labour markets, and measures to ensure Canadian students benefit.

Government response

Response by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Signed by Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant The Government of Canada recognizes the importance of ensuring that Canadians, including young Canadians, have access to educational opportunities and are equipped to succeed in an increasingly global and interconnected economy. The petition references a reported federal commitment of more than $100 million in scholarships for Indian students to study in Canada. No such commitment has been made by Global Affairs Canada or other federal government department with a responsibility over student scholarships, either in the March 2, 2026, Joint Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada and the Prime Minister Modi of India, or otherwise. The petition also references the Ontario Student Assistance Program. The Ontario Student Assistance Program is administered by the Government of Ontario and falls under provincial jurisdiction. Any changes made to student financial assistance programs by provinces or territories do not impact the federal grants and loans provided through the Canada Student Financial Assistance Program. The Government of Canada remains committed to affordability and lowering costs for Canadians pursuing post-secondary education. That is why the Government announced its commitment on March 23, 2026, to renew the temporary increases to Canada Student Grants and Loans that have been in place since 2023-24 for the 2026-27 academic year, pending regulatory approval. This $1.2 billion investment maintains the 40% increase to grants for fulltime students, part-time students, students with disabilities and students with dependants, and the Canada Student Loan limit increase from $210 to $300 per week of study. These measures will continue to help make post-secondary education accessible and help Canadian students make high-quality investments in their development and success. As announced in Budget 2025, the Canada Student Grant for Full-Time Students will only be available to students attending public educational institutions and not-for-profit private institutions, as of August 1, 2026. Students attending for-profit private institutions will no longer be eligible for this grant but will continue to have access to most supports provided by the Canada Student Financial Assistant Program, including interest-free Canada Student Loans as well as Canada Student Grants for Students with Dependants, Students with Disabilities, and Part-Time Studies, as well as the Grant for Services and Equipment for Students with Disabilities. Additionally, the full-time grant has always only been available to students enrolled in a program of study that is at least two years (60 weeks) in duration. Students at for-profit private institutions enrolled in shorter programs have never been eligible for this grant and are therefore not impacted by this measure. The Government of Canada’s international scholarships, academic partnerships, and capacity-building programs are administered in a distinct manner separate from domestic education and student assistance programs. These programs contribute to advancing Canada's foreign policy, trade and development objectives, to the benefit of Canadians. Scholarship programs involving international partners are typically structured as reciprocal or partnership-based arrangements. They are designed to advance mutual interests including skills development and research collaboration. They do not replace or diminish the Government’s commitment to supporting Canadian students but rather complement broader efforts to ensure a dynamic and sustainable education system. In 2024, reforms to the Post-Graduation Work Permit program were introduced as part of a series of measures to address issues within the International Student Program, in addition to supporting the Government’s commitment to reduce the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027. The program eligibility requirements were updated to better align with labour market needs and permanent residence pathways. Overall, the changes are intended to better calibrate the program with permanent residence requirements, thereby supporting the successful integration of former international students into the labour market and improving opportunities for transition to permanent residence. Aside from the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, international student graduates can leverage other immigration pathways that are better suited to meet regional labour needs through a suite of regional programs. In addition, Express Entry provides a permanent residence pathway for high-skilled workers, including eligible former international students who have transitioned into the Canadian labour market. Together, these measures support Canada’s goals to maintain sustainable immigration levels and support the successful integration of former international students into the labour market to meet domestic needs. More broadly, the Government supports policies and initiatives that help individuals educated in Canada apply their knowledge and skills in ways that contribute to Canada’s communities, economy and society. International scholarship programs are subject to established governance, financial management, reporting, and performance measurement requirements. Information regarding program objectives, eligibility criteria, funding parameters and breakdowns, and program results is made publicly available through departmental websites and Government of Canada reporting mechanisms, as appropriate. The Government agrees on the importance of transparency and accountability in public spending. Federal departments work closely together to ensure that international engagement is pursued in a manner that supports Canada’s national interests and domestic priorities. This includes ongoing assessments of impacts on housing, labour markets, and educational institutions.