Generally, international students had positive impressions of Atlantic Canada, and 40 percent of survey respondents expressed interest in permanent residence, suggesting that this group was a good candidate source of future immigrants who could help to address the region’s demographic challenges. Citizenship and Immigration Canada indicates that 39.5 percent of foreign students transition to foreign worker status nationally, but that only 15.6 percent transition to permanent resident status. There appear to be opportunities to improve the retention rate for those international students who choose to work in Canada after completing their education.
A cross-jurisdictional review revealed a competitive international market for international students, in which Canada is ranked seventh as an academic destination and attracts only a four percent share of international students. Across the globe, international students are valued, both as economic assets and as potential future immigrants who will be well-prepared to contribute to knowledge-based economies. Australia, Belgium, Canada, and the United Kingdom are the only nations charging differential tuition fees to international students. All others treat international and native students equally, in recognition of their benefit culturally and economically, and to maximize opportunities to attract future immigrants. Immigrants augment the stock of human capital which is diminishing in some jurisdictions, including certain parts of Atlantic Canada.