As Canadians prepare to elect the next federal government, the 2025 election presents an important opportunity to reflect on Canada’s future – and on the essential role international education plays in building a strong, globally connected, and resilient country.
For more than 80 years, international education has been a cornerstone of Canada’s global relationships, talent strategy, and economic prosperity. From coast to coast to coast, international students and alumni contribute to our communities, enrich our classrooms, support local economies, and drive innovation across every sector. They are entrepreneurs, healthcare workers, builders, engineers, researchers, and leaders – both in Canada and around the world.
In today’s ferociously competitive global landscape, Canada must act decisively to reinforce its reputation as a welcoming and world-class destination for international talent. International education is not only an economic driver – it is a vital tool of diplomacy, community development, and future population and workforce growth – one of Canada’s most powerful soft power tools. The enduring relationships, the exposure to Canadian values, and the intercultural understanding gained through student, faculty and researcher mobility and partnerships cannot be underestimated in terms of its value to Canadian foreign policy. The people-to-people relationships fostered through international education are central to Canada’s global identity and long-term prosperity.
As the national voice for international education in Canada, CBIE encourages all political parties to prioritize international education as a strategic national asset. In particular, we urge the next federal government to:
- Establish a Pan-Canadian International Education Council – to convene sector leaders and guide national efforts to create a strategic, responsible and sustainable approach to international education, which includes a focus on mechanisms and approaches to attracting high-quality talent to facilitate Canada’s long-term workforce needs, research and innovation strengths, and prosperity.
- Leverage Canada’s international education networks to strengthen global partnerships – Canada’s education institutions have cultivated deep, long-standing relationships with global partners through decades of student exchange, research collaboration, and alumni engagement. These people-to-people connections are a unique diplomatic asset that can help Canada advance its strategic interests on the world stage. We urge the federal government to recognize and support these education-based partnerships as a pillar of Canada’s global engagement strategy.
- Preserve Canada’s reputation as a destination of choice for international students and research talent – by working with the sector to rebuild trust and send a clear message to current and prospective international students and researchers that Canada values and continues to welcome them to our world class educational institutions and is committed to providing them with a quality international education experience.
International education is a key part of Canada’s strengths- and an even more important part of its future. CBIE and our members stand ready to work with all political parties to ensure Canada continues to lead on the global stage.
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