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OTTAWA — Canada’s immigration minister says the federal government will act on recommendations from the auditor general following a review of reforms to the international student program.
In a statement Monday, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said Ottawa accepts findings from the audit and will strengthen followup measures in cases involving suspected fraud or non compliance.
The report examined changes introduced in 2024 aimed at curbing rapid growth in the number of international students, easing pressure on housing and improving program integrity.
Diab said the measures are beginning to show results, pointing to a decline in the number of non permanent residents, which fell by more than 171,000 in the final quarter of 2025 to about 2.68 million at the start of this year.
The auditor general’s report also noted progress in areas including reduced intake levels, diversification of the student population and the introduction of a new system to verify letters of acceptance.
The federal government has set a target of reducing the temporary population to below five per cent of Canada’s total population by the end of 2027.
Diab said the audit reflects only the early stages of a broader multi year reform effort and noted outcomes are influenced by provinces, territories and post secondary institutions, which play key roles in allocating spaces and recruiting students.
She said Ottawa’s focus remains on protecting legitimate students, supporting communities and restoring confidence in the system.
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