Key Takeaways:
- Northern College, in partnership with Pures College, has seen its revenue for international programs increase by $55 million from 2022 to 2023.
- The new federal cap on international student visas and changes to post-graduation work permits (PGWP) are a concern for Northern College.
- The public-private college partnerships have been a political issue in Ontario, but are crucial for Northern College’s financial sustainability.
At the heart of Ontario’s education system, a policy shift is shaking the very foundations of student visa programs, stirring both concern and contemplation at Northern College. For years, the college has thrived on an international beat, its partnership with Pures College a pulsing vein funneling students from across the globe to its northern campuses. Such programs have not only enriched the tapestry of campus life but have also padded the college’s coffers significantly—with a staggering $55 million increase in revenue for international programs from 2022 to 2023. Yet, with federal changes looming on the horizon, the college stands at a crossroads, pondering the impact of visa caps on its flourishing global community and the ambitious partnership that has so far been a financial boon.
Amid this landscape of uncertainty, the gears of policy grind towards transformation. The Federal Immigration Minister’s recent declaration to limit international student visas has sent ripples across the educational sector, potentially altering the trajectory of Northern College’s international enrolment. How this cap—alongside the changing stipulations for post-graduation work permits—will affect both current and prospective students is a mystery yet to unravel. As numbers tell tales of growth and adaptation, from the boom in student population to the strategic adjustments pre-empting federal announcements, Northern College grapples with the challenge: sustaining its educational mission while navigating the complex currents of immigration policy and fiscal sustainability.
Impact of Federal Changes on Timmins College’s International Program
Northern College in Timmins has expressed concerns over the recent federal decision to cap international student visas. The college highlights that it’s premature to quantify the exact effect the new policy will have on its collaboration with Pures College, especially concerning the financing for enhancements to its northern campuses.
Enrollment and Financial Benefits from International Students
Over the last decade, Northern College has experienced significant growth:
- Enrollment has tripled
- International program revenue jumped by $55 million from 2022 to 2023
Uncertainty for Prospective International Students
Despite the college’s success, there is now uncertainty for potential international students. On January 25, Northern College released a statement acknowledging the potential challenges the federal changes could bring, particularly for those students currently navigating the acceptance and enrollment process.
Federal Immigration Policy Adjustments
The Federal Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, made two key announcements:
- The implementation of a cap on student visas, set to 360,000 for 2024.
- As of September, students enrolled via public-private partnerships will be ineligible for Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP).
Additionally, the statement included that the cap distribution will cause a significant decrease (50 percent) in permits for Ontario, which is the province most impacted due to its high number of international students.
Current Enrollment Figures
Data for the 2021-22 academic year revealed that Northern College had 3,378 international students on visas. However, figures for the 2022-23 school year are not yet available.
Northern College confirms its commitment to keeping both current and prospective students well-informed about policy alterations and their implications.
Housing Availability and Enrollment Adjustments
Prior to the federal announcement, Northern College had already begun managing international student intake at the Timmins campus by assessing housing availability and halting spring and summer intakes to support the accommodation needs of the local community.
Compliance with Guidelines
The college asserts its adherence to all established guidelines through its private partnership with Pures College, which allows students to earn a Northern College diploma at the Pures campus in Toronto.
Partnership with Pures College
Northern College’s partnership with Pures College is defined by the following:
- Pures College, located in Scarborough, is a private career school and a Designated Learning Institute (DLI).
- Students at Pures can study in Toronto and receive diplomas from Northern College.
Enrollment Growth over a Decade
From the 2012-13 to the 2021-22 academic year, enrollment figures at Northern College have substantially increased:
- The college grew from 1,305 students in 2012-13 to 4,234 in 2021-22.
- The highest enrollment recorded was during the 2020-21 year, with 5,450 students.
For more information on immigration policies and student visas, students and interested parties can refer to Canada’s official immigration and citizenship website.
Public-Private Educational Partnerships
Growth at Pures Campus
Northern College has observed a remarkable surge in enrollment numbers, particularly at the Pures campus. This uptick is part of a broader context involving partnerships between public colleges and private institutions, which have been subject to ongoing political debate in Ontario.
A Political Issue in Ontario
These collaborations have been scrutinized over the years and became a political focal point when the then-Liberal Ontario government, in 2016, took a critical stance. The review of existing public-private college partnerships highlighted concerns regarding:
- The potential risk to the quality of education
- The reputation of Ontario colleges
- The overall integrity of the province’s post-secondary education sector
Prompted by these findings, the government at the time mandated the termination of these partnerships by 2018, offering some level of compensation for the schools affected. However, this decision was repealed once the Progressive Conservative (PC) government came to power, reinstating the partnerships in 2019 with encouragement for their potential benefits.
Encouraging International Student Growth
The PC government of 2019 backed these partnerships with the following objectives:
- To bolster the financial position of public colleges
- To enable reinvestment in campus facilities and local communities
- To motivate international students to study and potentially reside post-graduation outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
Specifically for Northern College, the institution stressed the significance of Pures and its international student body, especially in light of a decline in domestic student numbers. In a response to TimminsToday inquiries, the college expressed the necessity to adapt and remain financially viable:
“Tuition cuts and freezes have not helped the matter. We’ve had to become entrepreneurial and find other means to remain competitive and attract students to communities to help with the declining domestic population and to help meet labour market needs for our region.”
Student Distribution at Northern College
Despite the successful increase in enrollment through the Pures partnership, the majority of these students are not located in Northern Ontario. Northern College operates its main campus in Timmins, with additional campuses in Haileybury, Kirkland Lake, and Moosonee, plus regional sites through Contact North.
In the academic year 2019-2020, there were:
- 1,534 full-time students enrolled in the fall
- Of these, 1,030 students were based in Timmins
The notable enrollment boost commenced in the 2020-21 academic year when Pures started being listed as a location for students. That year witnessed an enrollment more than tripling:
- A total of 5,450 student headcount was recorded
- Of them, 840 were in Timmins, whereas 4,088 attended Pures
Subsequent data for 2021-22 indicates:
- Out of 4,234 full-time students, 3,099 were enrolled at Pures and 631 in Timmins
These statistics underscore the substantial impact of the public-private educational partnerships on Northern College’s student distribution and highlight the college’s strategic response to broader demographic and financial challenges in the educational sector.
Student Visa Challenges at Northern College
Overcapacity Issues
Last year, Northern College was thrust into the midst of a student visa controversy. The issue began in August 2023, when the college sent out acceptance letters to 503 international students, a majority of whom were from India. These acceptances were for programs at Pures College, facilitated by Northern College. However, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued more student visas than the educational institution could accommodate within its program capacities.
Deferred Acceptances
By November, the situation had escalated as Northern College acknowledged it was unable to support the large influx of students anticipated for the January 2024 intake. Consequently, 211 individuals, who had not yet obtained the required student visa, received notification that their admission offers were being deferred.
Criticism of “Bad Actor” Schools
Amidst the controversy, Miller made a stark comparison, equating certain private colleges to “puppy mills.” Referencing the problematic institutions, Miller stated:
- These are private colleges that grant “sham commerce degrees.”
- They frequently operate in office spaces located above businesses like massage parlours.
- They are known for being establishments students seldom attend, with those enrolled often working as Uber drivers instead.
Impact on Students with Deferred Visas
At the heart of the matter for those students whose visas were deferred in November, there remains a glimmer of hope. Norther College voiced to TimminsToday that many affected students likely possess approved visas, though the college must conduct verifications.
College Statement on Policy Changes
The college expressed concern about the broader implications of the policy changes, which thus far remain largely undetailed. The college’s official statement outlined the uncertainty:
- The full effect of the new policy is challenging to measure without further information.
- Northern College has reservations about the potential impact on workforce training and economic growth in Northern regions.
Anticipated Reforms
The federal government had hinted at reforming the student visa program since the previous fall. In a move to prevent situations similar to the 2023 incident, the IRCC conveyed to TimminsToday in November its plans to establish a new framework for the student visa program.
Implementation of New Requirements
Effective December 1, updates to the acceptance process for international students were enacted:
- Institutions are now responsible for confirming acceptance letters directly with the IRCC.
Proactive Measures by Northern College
In anticipation of the official announcement, Northern College had already begun taking steps to address potential issues:
- The college is participating in a voluntary pilot program aimed at international quality assurance in Ontario’s post-secondary education.
- As part of the initiative, an audit of student support services is underway to develop guidelines and expand services.
The college stressed its commitment to growth and quality in its response:
- Emphasis on “sustainable growth and program excellence” in all recent endeavours.
- The college awaits further detail on the new measures and their potential effects on Northern communities.
For official information on Canadian immigration policies and student visa applications, refer to the IRCC’s official website.
Northern College’s Financial Growth from Private Partnership
Surge in Revenue from International Programs
In its recent financial statements, Northern College has reported a significant increase in financial gains related to its private college partnership. Notably, a sharp rise in tuition and fees from students at Pures College contributed to this uptick. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers as recorded:
- 2023 Revenue: $84 million from international programs and other revenue sources
- 2022 Revenue: $28.7 million, indicating a substantial growth
Overall Revenue Increase
The impact of the partnership is evident when examining the overall financial figures of Northern College, which saw revenues more than double from one year to the next:
- Total Revenue for 2023: $142 million
- Total Revenue for 2022: $69 million
Expenses in Perspective
Despite the significant revenue boost, the college also incurred expenses:
- 2023 Expenses: $112.9 million
- 2022 Expenses: $55 million
Potential Impact on Capital Projects
With recent developments, Northern College may have to reconsider some of its planned capital investments. The college highlighted the significance of its private partnership revenue, which played a critical role in funding these projects:
“We utilized the revenue source from our private partnership to fund capital improvements at our northern campuses,” Northern College stated. The college also acknowledged the uncertainty about future projects, saying, “We will need to re-examine what we will tackle as projects in the future if we don’t have this revenue coming in anymore.”
Future of Partnership with Pures College
Amid changes, the long-term implications for Northern College’s agreement with Pures College remain unclear. The college has expressed the need for more information before fully understanding the impact:
“Until we get a better handle on how the provincial government will be dividing up the visas for Ontario, we won’t know what effect this will have on the partnership,” the institution explained.
Shift in Program Popularity at Northern College
Over recent years, Northern College has witnessed a notable shift in the popularity of its offered programs, aligning with changes in the student demographic.
Student Demographics
According to provincial data spanning from the 2012-13 to the 2021-22 school years, the bulk of Northern College students fall into the age bracket of 20 to 24 years old.
Program Enrollment Trends
Delving into specific program enrollments:
- 2012-13 Academic Year:
- Total enrollment stood at 1,305 students.
- The most enrolled program was Collaborative Nursing with 159 students.
- Following closely, the Social Service Worker program had 131 students.
- 2019-20 Academic Year:
- Just before a significant increase in student visa issuance, the leading programs were still Social Service Worker Diploma with 213 students, and Collaborative Nursing, which by then had 103 students enrolled.
- Subsequent Years:
- A shift arose with Business and Computer Engineering Technology programs becoming the most sought after.
- An additional 1,340 enrollments were recorded under the “not available/not applicable” category.
The changing trends highlight the dynamic nature of student interests and program demand within higher education institutions like Northern College.
