BRAMPTON, ON (December 21, 2023) – At its Special Council meeting on December 20, 2023, City Council received a presentation from Dr. Mike Moffatt, Senior Director of Policy and Innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute and Assistant Professor in the Business, Economics and Public Policy Group at Ivey Business School, Western University.
Dr. Moffatt's presentation, focusing on International Student housing, set the stage for the Council's decision, emphasizing the City's commitment to enhancing housing and support for International Students.
Council passed two resolutions for the support of International Students. These resolutions align with Brampton's broader housing goals and highlight the growing challenges faced by the International Student community.
Federal support for International Student housing
Mayor Brown, seconded by Dennis Keenan, Regional Councillor for Wards 3 and 4, moved a motion calling on the federal government to ensure a direct link between student visas and appropriate accommodation in a location near the post-secondary institution. It advocates for a more restrictive visa policy and federal funding for housing infrastructure to support International Students.
Provincial adjustment of the Heads and Beds Levy
Mayor Brown, seconded by Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor for Wards 1 and 5 and Chair of the Community Services Council Committee, moved a motion seeking to double the Heads and Beds Levy and strengthen regulations for post-secondary institutions. The levy, unchanged since 1987, is critical in supporting the municipal services utilized by International Students.
The City of Brampton will share these resolutions with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Brampton’s federal Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, and the Region of Peel.
On December 18, 2023, Mayor Patrick Brown and Sheridan College’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Janet Morrison signed the guiding principles of the Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience, affirming the City’s commitment to enacting meaningful change for International Students who choose to study in Canada. The creation of the Charter is the culmination of a community roundtable, an International Student Summit and the co-creation of a shared approach to actions, reporting, and accountability to improve the International Student experience and its outcomes.
These actions build on the collaborative effort between the City of Brampton and local educational institutions such as Sheridan College, emphasizing a community-wide approach to addressing the needs of International Students. This collaboration is essential in advocating for enhanced support from federal and provincial governments, as outlined in the resolutions passed by the City Council.
“Dr. Moffatt’s insights today highlight a crucial issue, the urgent need for federal intervention in International Student housing. Brampton is a beacon for students globally, but our capacity to host them adequately is strained. We implore the federal government to take decisive action by linking student visas with housing provisions and by providing essential funding for infrastructure. These steps are necessary to maintain Brampton as a welcoming and supportive city for International Students.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“In light of Dr. Moffatt's compelling presentation, it is clear that immediate action is necessary. Our International Students are a vital part of Brampton's cultural mosaic. They face significant housing challenges, and it is the responsibility of institutions and other orders of government to ensure their welfare. We call on the provincial government to urgently revise the Heads and Beds Levy, enabling us to provide better support for these valuable members of our community."
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 and 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
