Canada's Study Permits Plummet, Impacting Immigration

0:00Canada's new study permits for international college and university students plunged 64% last year with just over 75,000 approvals out of 211,000 applications processed in 2025. That's the lowest number in the past decade, even beating the pandemic low of 92,000 back in 2020. Meanwhile, extensions now make up nearly three-quarters of all approvals, up from just a quarter in 2023, showing the system's leaning. Cardone students are already here. Experts like Medi Bissiri, CEO of a plywood, warn this crash will starve the pipeline of talent with Canadian education and work experience, making it tougher to fill permanent residence spots down the line. Canada relies on immigrants for almost all its labor force growth, especially with an aging population and shortages everywhere. The drop comes from softer demand in big markets like India, China, and Nigeria, plus approval rates dipping to 35.7% from 44.9.

1:03Government caps haven't even been hit, leaving schools with empty seats enforcing cuts to programs and staff. To fix this, recruiters need to hit smaller markets and send a clear message Canada's still open for students, or will be scrambling for workers. From abroad in just a couple years. That wraps Calgary News today, brought to you with AI. I'm Cory with the story.