Quebec’s international student surge: data contradicts government claims

Recent statements by Quebec officials suggesting private colleges exploit education to “sell citizenship” have been challenged by federal and provincial data. While Education Minister Bernard Drainville cited a 140% increase in foreign students since 2014, the statistics reveal a more nuanced picture. The surge in international enrollment primarily occurs in public institutions and government-subsidized private colleges, which align with Quebec’s own policy to attract talent from French-speaking countries. This contradicts claims about unsubsidized private colleges, which have seen a significant decline in foreign student numbers. The discrepancy highlights the complexity of Quebec’s international education landscape and raises questions about the government’s proposed restrictive measures.