Quebec government tables legislation to limit number of international students

The Quebec government has introduced new legislation that would give it the authority to cap the number of international students studying in the province, part of a broader effort to reduce the rapidly growing number of non-permanent residents.

Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge said the number of foreign students in Quebec reached 120,000 last year, up sharply from 50,000 in 2014. Over the past two years, the province’s total non-permanent resident population has doubled - from about 300,000 to 600,000 - prompting the government to take what it calls “necessary corrective action.”

The proposed legislation would allow Quebec to set limits on the number of international student applications based on region, educational institution, study level, and program. Roberge said the goal is to ensure balance and sustainability in the province’s immigration system, while protecting regional programs that depend on foreign enrolment.

“This bill is not about closing doors; it’s about managing responsibly,” Roberge said, adding that the changes would not affect smaller programs that rely on international students to remain viable.

The move follows Quebec’s recent decision to raise tuition fees by 33 per cent for students from other provinces - a measure the government said was designed to strengthen the French-language character of the province’s universities by discouraging non-French-speaking enrolment.