Sarnia's mayor is throwing his support behind Lambton College and its international student program.
Mike Bradley has "grave concerns over the new and sudden" measures.
"There's multiple reasons why I have very serious concerns as the leader of the city," Bradley said. "The fact is, Lambton College has grown and prospered and has invested so much back into this community, we need to support them now."
Bradley said the college is a major driver of economic growth and sustainability throughout our entire region.
"The international students have made a huge difference in the community in relation to the job market, skills learned and perhaps staying as permanent residents. Which is part of our growth plan that Judy Morris, the former president of the college, is now leading at the Immigration Task Force," he said.
The Sarnia-Lambton campus currently has about 1,900 international students enrolled, and Bradley said any significant impact to enrollment will impact Sarnia-Lambton.
"The fact is, we have a labour shortage and international students have been invaluable in helping this community get through the labour shortage in the restaurant business, supply business, service business... you name it," said Bradley. "Many employers will tell you that they have made a huge difference. They add value and they add diversity to the community. They make the community different and they bring different points of view to what we are as Canadians."
Bradley said work is underway to form a community taskforce to assist.
"The request has gone out to important community groups, ranging from First Nations, Chamber of Commerce, Labour Council and others... to stand up and speak out in support of the college," he said. "I am very confident, from the feedback I'm hearing, that they will do that because they understand the value. Yes, there are some issues that come along dealing with housing, dealing with some of the other issues, but those are solvable issues. There's a value [international students] bring to this community, and the value they bring to Canada is immense."
Bradley is urging the provincial and federal governments to continue working with the college on high-quality international education programs that support students, strengthen communities, and safeguard the integrity of our postsecondary education system.
"That's what we're trying to get across," said Bradley. "Take another look at this, think this through, because whether it's Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, or Cornwall... this could really damage our communities very heavily economically when both governments are talking about growing jobs and growing the economy. This doesn't help."
In an update January 29, Lambton College applauded new measures aimed at safeguarding students and enhancing the integrity of the province’s postsecondary education system in Ontario.
