Is Canada underestimating the cost of living for international students? | 24CA News
The Canadian authorities is probably going severely underestimating the value of dwelling for worldwide college students when weighing if they’ll assist themselves financially, a brand new survey suggests.
According to a latest survey by the Daily Bread meals financial institution, which was launched on Wednesday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s estimated dwelling expense used through the utility course of is almost half of what a pupil in Toronto usually spends.
When making use of for a examine allow, a potential worldwide pupil should present “proof of financial support.” This means they have to be capable to present they’ll assist themselves in Canada.
Applicants at the moment should show they’ve $10,000 to assist themselves on prime of their tuition charges, which quantities to $833 monthly.
If an applicant intends to deliver a member of the family with them, they have to additionally present an extra $4,000, or $333 monthly.
For each extra member of the family, they have to present $3,000, or $255 monthly.
Daily Bread surveyed 180 worldwide college students who frequent 4 main Toronto meals banks and located these numbers don’t appear to replicate the realities college students face.
“In contrast, when we asked survey respondents how much they were spending per month on living expenses, excluding tuition, they reported an average of $1,517, which is close to double what the Government of Canada advertised as the cost of living,” the survey report stated.
It added, “When asked how their experience in Canada compared to what they were expecting, respondents noted that Canada was much more expensive than they thought it would be, particularly with respect to housing and food.”
The survey continued, noting: “This is not surprising, given that, in 2022, rents in Toronto increased by 29% for vacant units and food inflation was at 9.1% from June 2022 – June 2023.”
The report additionally urged the federal government has not up to date its estimated value of dwelling determine for worldwide college students since 2015.
An IRCC spokesperson informed Global News, “The financial requirements for a study permit application are not based on one static figure. A student’s proof of financial support must take into account their specific tuition fees, return transportation for themselves and any family members who come with them to Canada, and living expenses for themselves and any family members who come with them to Canada.”
The spokesperson didn’t make clear when the proof of funds requirement was final up to date to $10,000 for worldwide college students.
Talia Bronstein, vice chairman of analysis and advocacy at Daily Bread, stated, “We surveyed 180 food bank clients who are international students. And we found that there was a disconnect between what they had expected when they came to Canada and the reality of living in Canada.”
The report stated whereas all college students are vulnerable to meals insecurity, the excessive value of dwelling and excessive tuition for worldwide college students makes them thrice extra doubtless than home college students to be meals insecure.
One survey respondent is quoted within the report as saying, “The cost of living and rent shot up too quick to be able to manage. I starve myself of healthy food and meat products because I cannot afford it after paying my monthly rent. I only survive on lentils and noodles. This is not what I expected. My health has deteriorated in the last two years greatly.”
Bronstein stated, “We looked at external literature and found that there was clear evidence that international students are at a higher risk of being food insecure than domestic students. But we also know that all university students and post-secondary students are at higher risk of being food insecure than the general population.”
The common tuition price for home undergraduate college students in Ontario is $7,920, whereas for worldwide college students it’s $40,525. While Ontario’s gulf is larger than the nationwide image, the numbers are fairly comparable nationwide.
The common home undergraduate pupil in Canada paid $6,872 and the typical worldwide pupil paid $35,836.
Bronstein stated whereas the survey respondents had been from and round Toronto, the rising value of dwelling and excessive tuition prices throughout Canada signifies that this can be a nationwide drawback.
The report additionally famous that college students had a tough time discovering a secure and inexpensive place to reside.
“Landlords may be less willing to rent to international students because they do not have a Canadian credit score, or because there is discrimination against post-secondary students in general in the housing market,” the report stated.
It added that many individuals discovered it more durable than anticipated to discover a job. The majority of scholars, 61 per cent, earned between $15.50 (minimal wage) and $18.50 an hour. Around 17 per cent stated they earned under minimal wage.
The report additionally makes suggestions to all three ranges of presidency in addition to to schools and universities. It calls on Ottawa to evaluate and replace necessities for a way a lot cash college students will want for month-to-month bills and completely enhance the variety of off-campus hours worldwide college students can work.
It referred to as on universities and faculties to boost assist for on-campus housing and on-campus employment for worldwide college students. It even referred to as on the City of Toronto to make public transit cheaper for college students.
But Bronstein stated crucial suggestion was for the province.
“The most important recommendation is for the government of Ontario to better fund colleges and universities,” she stated.
“We have the lowest per capita domestic student funding from the government across the provinces, and I think that really speaks to the fact that universities are turning to international students to subsidize domestic students. And that’s not a fair way of running an institution.”
Bronstein stated whereas meals banks are fulfilling a key position in battling starvation, they can’t be a everlasting resolution.
“We need to look beyond food banks as a solution. We need to be looking at the public policy opportunities that there are to address it. The three areas we should focus on are income supports, affordable housing and decent work.”
