International student capacity drops 40 per cent

Manitoba is condemning the federal government’s continued capping of international students and failure to consult local leaders on its allotments.

The province released a bulletin on Friday “highlighting the consequences” of Ottawa’s shift in immigration policy. Manitoba was allotted 11,196 spots for international students this year, down from 18,591 in 2025 — a 40 per cent drop, it said.

Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable said in the release that universities and colleges are reporting a steep decline in enrolment and related revenue.

“These reductions make it difficult for institutions to plan for the long term as they rely on stable student numbers to deliver high-quality education,” Cable said.