International student population was ‘out of control,’ says Brampton mayor

The number of international students living in Brampton strained the city’s ability to provide services, according to Mayor Patrick Brown.

Speaking on the Greg Brady Show on 640 Toronto on May 5, Brown said the international student population grew rapidly as thousands arrived to attend dozens of private colleges that opened in a short period of time.

He estimated that at one point, as many as 100,000 international students were living in the city.

Brown said the surge, which peaked near the end of 2023, created challenges for municipal services and affected the quality of life residents had come to expect.

“Frankly, international students, for several years, were out of control in terms of what was coming into Canada,” Brown said.

Canada admitted high numbers of international students during and after the pandemic, partly to address labour shortages through pathways to permanent residency. Colleges and universities expanded intake amid funding pressures, as international students pay higher fees. As a result, many small private colleges opened in Brampton to capitalize on demand from students seeking to immigrate.

Brown said the rapid population growth put pressure on housing, health care and other local services. City officials have previously raised concerns about issues including overcrowded housing, increased waste, and strains on social supports.

“It just wasn’t sustainable,” he said. “The system was broken. At one point, we had 80 officially recognized colleges in Brampton, and I think only a handful were reputable.”

Brown said responsibility for the situation was often debated between levels of government.

“The federal government said it was up to the province to accredit schools, and the province would say it is the federal government that admits the international students,” he said.

He added that both levels of government have since taken steps to address the issue, with Ontario tightening oversight of colleges and the federal government placing limits on international student intake.

Brown said the City of Brampton is advocating for future policies that tie international student numbers to available housing.

“Obviously, there are still a large number of international students in Canada,” he said. “But going forward, I think we are going to see visas linked to credible institutions that can provide housing.”