May 13, 2013
Manitoba Introduces New Legislation that would Protect International Students
– – –New Act would be First of its Kind in Canada: Selby
Legislation introduced today would regulate all education providers that intend to recruit and enrol international students, enhancing Manitoba’s continuing reputation as a destination of choice for study by students from around the world, Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby has announced.
“It is important that we continue to provide a high-quality, safe and student-centred learning environment for international students,” said Selby. “These students enrich Manitoba’s educational, social, cultural and economic fabric. This act gives us new authorities to protect the people choosing to come to our province to further their education.”
In 2010, a report commissioned by the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade found there were over 5,700 international students studying in Manitoba and noted that international students contributed over $153 million to the provincial economy and supported over 1,600 jobs.
Under the proposed legislation, in order to enrol a student from abroad, every education provider would now have to follow a code of practice and conduct that would be established under the act.
Among its provisions, the proposed act would allow the province to:
- inspect and investigate any education provider;
- suspend or cancel any provider’s right to recruit and enrol students, if they were to violate the code or the act;
- fine any education provider between $25,000 and $100,000 if they commit an offence such as providing false or misleading information, or obstructing inspections and investigations; and
- collect new information, in order to promote better understanding of Manitoba’s international student body.
“Manitoba will be the first in Canada with this type of legislation in place,” said Selby. “Our high standard of education along with protection for students will help us attract more and more people to study and, ultimately, live and work in Manitoba.”
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