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© Universities Canada 2025

Priorities

Compete for talent

Attract top global talent to fill workforce gaps

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As Canada’s population ages, we need top talent from home and around the world to grow our economy and fill critical jobs. Universities are magnets for bright students who become skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. But recent federal actions have made it harder for them to choose Canada. Here’s how we can fix this:

  • Speed up visa approvals so talented students can study and work in Canada without delays.
  • Establish a Ministerial Roundtable on Immigration Strategy to unite government, industry, and universities in shaping smarter policies that attract top talent, fill workforce gaps, and keep Canada competitive.

When we bring the best and brightest to Canada, we secure our long-term prosperity and strengthen our workforce for the future.

By the numbers

  • $30.9B

    into Canada’s economy

    In 2022, international students injected $30.9 billion into Canada’s economy—more than the country’s entire auto parts manufacturing industry—accounting for 1.2% of GDP.

  • 361,230

    jobs supported thanks to international students

    International students spending supported 361,230 jobs, the equivalent of filling every seat in Toronto’s Rogers Centre seven times over.

  • $7.4B

    in tax revenue

    International students contributed $7.4 billion in tax revenue—helping fund hospitals, schools and infrastructure that benefit all Canadians.

Related programs and scholarships

Open

Queen Elizabeth Scholarships

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program aims to mobilize a community of young leaders to create lasting impacts at home and abroad. The program helps develop the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders by enabling international academic, professional and cross-cultural experiences in over 150 countries.

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Open

Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030)

The Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 (BCDI 2030) strengthens the social and economic development of women and men—particularly women—in 26 eligible francophone countries, Commonwealth countries and Small Island Developing States.

Student wearing a backpack exiting the building
Open

Global Excellence Initiative

Recognizing and celebrating both early-career and well-established researchers in Canada contributes to a culture of innovation and enhances the pride we have in our country, spurring Canadians toward excellence.

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Closed

Global Skills Opportunity

GSO is designed to break down barriers for Canadian post-secondary students – especially low-income students, students with disabilities and Indigenous students – so they can participate in study and work abroad experiences.

Three students sit on the steps outside a university building looking at the screen of an iPad and smiling.
Closed

Tanaka Fund Program

The Tanaka Fund was established in 1974 as the result of an exchange of gifts between the governments of Canada and Japan.

photo of Fonds Tanaka
Closed

IDRC International Doctoral Research Awards

Funded by the International Doctoral Research Centre (IDRC), the International Doctoral Research Awards (IDRA) aim to strengthen the research capacity of doctoral students enrolled at Canadian universities. The IDRA program supports field research undertaken in the Global South.

Student standing in the library aisle with book in hand