Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience

Recognizing that financial stability is at the heart of the safety and well-being of the international student experience, postsecondary institutions and Charter signatories commit to the following:

• Inform international applicants early and comprehensively about all related expenses, not just tuition and fees.
• Encourage and streamline direct application processes. Where agents are involved, ensure processes are in place to only partner with trustworthy and vetted enrolment agents.
• Create a public database of unethical agents.
• Provide consistency in tuition and fee policy and protection against substantial increases in international student tuition and fees.
• Commit to shared data collection on the international student population, including mapping of changing demographics, enrolment patterns, and international student needs.

Recognizing that academic standards and pedagogical relationships vary considerably across cultures, and that international students need accessible guidance on how to navigate the Canadian academic and social environment, postsecondary institutions and Charter signatories commit to the following:

• Create a hub where students can access accurate, trusted information throughout their journey.
• Call on all levels of government to adequately fund community-based non-profits that offer mental health and other supports.
• Partner with/advocate to other levels of government/the province for collaboration and funding.
• Undertake periodic assessments of available health insurance plans and coverage for international students.
• Provide culturally appropriate and multilingual health care and supports.
• Create trauma-informed best practices for the more severe cases of international students needing urgent help (suicides or attempted suicides, unexpected pregnancies, homelessness, justice system).
• Facilitate the integration of domestic and international students, promote connections to alumni and create positive engagement opportunities between international students and the community, supported by cross-cultural training.
• Work to positively shape the messaging and narratives on the international student experience.

Recognizing that postsecondary institutions and all levels of government should work with local partners, the development industry and government to ensure access to safe, affordable and accessible housing both on and off campus, Charter signatories commit to the following:

• Consider housing and transportation opportunities for international students as part of municipal planning.
• Support the delivery of affordable student housing through streamlined approvals.
• Advocate for and promote safe and legal rental accommodation that is subject to inspection and reporting.
• Educate property owners on registration of rental units with the municipality to help meet safety standards.
• Educate international students on rights and responsibilities under the Landlord and Tenant Act and facilitating access to affordable legal counsel.
• Recognize food insecurity as a growing issue among international students and provide targeted support and resources so that learners can afford both rent and groceries.
• Allocate a percentage of international student tuition and fees revenue to financial scholarships and supports for international students.

Recognizing that many international students work to support their families back home and pay for their tuition/living expenses, Charter signatories commit to the following:

• Develop targeted experiential education and co-op opportunities for international students, keeping in mind their unique challenges when accessing careers and employability support.
• Prevent and reduce exploitation of international students through stronger enforcement of provincial labour laws, especially as they relate to temporary work and the gig economy that many international students rely on during their studies.
• Inform international students of their rights as workers and offer provision to connect with appropriate legal complaint and advocacy support services.
• Educate employers about the benefits of hiring international students and graduates and the immigration regulations that facilitate their employment.
• Engage in advocacy with employers, relevant community organizations and all levels of government to improve employment outcomes for international students and graduates.

Recognizing the intergovernmental nature of immigration- and settlement-related issues to improving the international student experience, each level of government should commit to the following:

• Request that the federal government provide timely, accurate and plain-language information on immigration-related matters including student visas and applications, arrival information, entitlements and responsibilities, work regulations during and post study, and application for permanent residency and citizenship.
• Request that the provincial government provide clarity to postsecondary graduates on dates and application procedures through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (ONIP) program.
• Partner with the regional/municipal government to provide increased access to and awareness of recreational, community safety/well-being and public health opportunities to ensure a safe and successful transition to permanent residency.