Bishop’s fights for future under Quebec’s proposed cap on international students
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In the wake of Quebec’s Bill 74, which proposes limits on international student enrollments, Bishop’s University finds itself grappling with uncertain prospects for student recruitment and financial sustainability. In a Nov. 8 interview, Bishop’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sébastien Lebel-Grenier shared his concerns over the potential impact of these restrictions on his institution, particularly in light of recent enrollment and funding challenges that have already hit the university hard.
The timing of Bill 74, which would give the Quebec government discretionary power to cap international student numbers, is especially problematic, says Lebel-Grenier, given that Bishop’s has seen a sharp 27.7 per cent drop in its international student population this year. This decline contributes to a projected $1.6 million deficit, one that could grow as the cap on international students jeopardizes the university’s enrollment-driven revenue. “We’re already in a difficult position,” he said, emphasizing the need for careful financial management to protect the student experience, which remains Bishop’s highest priority despite these fiscal strains.
The financial hit comes from two primary sources: decreased recruitment numbers and a new funding formula. The sudden changes have left Bishop’s and other Quebec universities scrambling to adapt. “What we’re seeing now is a situation where we’re investing a lot more effort to recruit students, yet our results are weaker,” said Lebel-Grenier. The financial gap, which government funds are not expected to fill, could mean further tough decisions ahead. While Lebel-Grenier refrained from specifying potential budget cuts, he acknowledged that reducing expenditures may be unavoidable as Bishop’s seeks to stabilize its finances.
During a recent presentation to Quebec’s National Assembly, Lebel-Grenier highlighted that Bishop’s, one of Quebec’s smallest universities with 417 international students, relies on these students to enrich both its campus environment and the broader Lennoxville community. The institution, committed to a liberal arts model, sees international diversity as core to its mission. Lebel-Grenier argued that limiting this diversity threatens the very foundation of Bishop’s educational philosophy. The liberal education Bishop’s offers depends on varied student backgrounds, which enrich academic discussion and peer-to-peer learning.
According to Lebel-Grenier, Quebec’s rationale for Bill 74 misses the significant role international students play in sustaining regional university programs. He pointed out that while government officials focus on perceived pressure on public services, they overlook the critical contributions of international students to Quebec’s economic and research landscape. In his testimony, Lebel-Grenier noted, “The talents these students bring to Quebec and their economic contributions should not be underestimated. Our work, especially in research, depends on their presence in our labs and classrooms.”
Quebec universities collectively face a structural funding shortfall of $2 billion, which Bill 74 threatens to worsen by restricting a vital source of funding. With the government urging institutions to recruit more international students to counterbalance public funding gaps, Lebel-Grenier finds it contradictory that they are now moving to limit these same students. In his National Assembly remarks, he underscored the financial strain this would place on the province’s universities, saying, “Imposing quotas could lead to significant losses and further exacerbate underfunding.”
Bishop’s University, which saw a nearly 10 per cent dip in Canadian out-of-province student enrollment as well, is particularly vulnerable. The university invested considerable effort last year in retaining these students, emphasizing Bishop’s as a welcoming choice within Quebec. But as Lebel-Grenier explained, “Our resources are limited. While we succeeded in reducing out-of-province losses to 10 per cent, we simply did not have the capacity to combat the negative perception of Quebec’s stance on international students.” He also raised the broader issue of regional autonomy, which he fears may be undermined if Quebec adopts a centralized, discretionary approach to admissions.
Last year’s uncertainty stemmed largely from proposed tuition hikes targeting out-of-province Canadian students at Quebec universities, a measure the government initially introduced to generate additional revenue. Although Bishop’s was ultimately exempted from these increases, the proposal itself had already affected student perception and led to enrollment declines. Bishop’s had to invest considerable resources into communicating the exemption to reassure prospective students. Despite Bishop’s exemption, the proposal had already created negative perceptions that impacted the institution’s ability to recruit internationally, an issue that lingers with the new proposed student caps under Bill 74.
Lebel-Grenier was joined in his opposition by several other Quebec universities at the assembly, noting that the cap would not only reduce the university’s diversity but also weaken Quebec’s overall research capacity. International graduate students, who play an outsized role in research and development, are essential to projects in fields like astrophysics, where Bishop’s excels globally. “If, from one day to the next, we are no longer able to bring in international students, our research programs could collapse,” he told lawmakers, stressing that international student engagement is indispensable to maintaining high-impact research.
Quebec’s proposed legislation gives the provincial ministers of Immigration and Higher Education the discretion to decide quotas based on factors such as region, academic program, and institution. However, the plan lacks a pre-consultation process, raising concerns over university autonomy. The bill would allow the government to impose decisions without consulting affected institutions or providing a transition period. Lebel-Grenier voiced his concerns on this lack of dialogue, saying, “What we are facing is an unpredictable system that could impose sudden changes, deeply affecting our strategic priorities.” This absence of predictability undermines the long-term planning essential for university recruitment and resource allocation, especially for small, mission-driven institutions like Bishop’s.
As Bishop’s charts a path forward, it aims to enhance communication with prospective international students, focusing on reassuring them of the welcoming and inclusive environment Bishop’s offers. Despite the challenges, Lebel-Grenier maintains an optimistic outlook. He encourages those connected to Bishop’s, particularly alumni, to share their positive experiences as a means of attracting future students. “We’re small, and it’s hard for us to get visibility,” he said, underlining the role of community support in sustaining the institution through these turbulent times.
The international cap, Lebel-Grenier suggests, may ultimately harm Quebec’s reputation as a destination for diverse, high-caliber academic talent. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with the Quebec government to foster a solution that balances the province’s needs with those of its universities. Bishop’s, committed to its liberal arts mission, remains hopeful that a compromise can be reached, one that protects both the unique character of the institution and its vital role in Quebec’s higher education landscape.