MP Kram Slams Liberals’ Attacks on International Students

 

For immediate release

August 24, 2023

MP Kram Slams Liberals’ Attacks on International Students

Regina-Wascana MP Michael Kram today spoke out against Housing Minister Sean Fraser’s comments about the international student visa program.

On Monday, Fraser said that the Trudeau government was considering capping international student visas because the program was contributing to housing shortages in major centres such as Toronto and Montreal.

“This is typical of the one-size-fits-all, Toronto-centric approach of the Liberals,” Kram said. “They assume that if something is bad for Toronto, it must be bad for all of Canada.”

Kram noted that the international student program is a net benefit to Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions.

“International students make a major contribution not only to the social and academic fabric of Saskatchewan's post-secondary institutions but also to their financial sustainability. Furthermore, both universities have ample on-campus housing so that international students do not, in any way, contribute to housing issues in Saskatchewan.”

Kram said that, if the federal government were to cap international student visas, it should be done on an institution-by-institution basis.

“I’m sure there are places, like Toronto, where the number of international students overwhelms the housing supply. But that does not mean there should be a blanket cap. Any restrictions should take into consideration the ability of the institution and the local community to house and support the students.”

Kram went on to accuse the Liberal government of trying to distract attention from its other failings on the housing front.

“This is a blatant effort at scapegoating. The Liberals promised to build 5.8 million new homes but their initiatives to do so keep getting bogged down by red tape and gatekeepers. Instead of taking responsibility for their own blunders, they are trying to pin the blame on an immigrant population that can’t fight back.”

 

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