The Toronto Star recently conducted a survey of Ontario colleges and universities to better understand how the federal policy changes have affected them. Some college respondents argued that the restrictions on post-graduate work permits were biased and/or favoured universities, while university respondents distanced themselves from being at fault. Among the institutions that provided enrolment data, all but one reported that their enrolment had declined. When asked about provincial attestation letters (PALs), many universities said they did not use all their PALs and expressed concern about being penalized for this in the next academic year. Universities also expressed uncertainty about the effect of including master’s and doctoral programs in this year’s cap on student recruitment.
