Recent statements by Quebec officials suggesting private colleges exploit education to "sell citizenship" have been challenged by federal and provincial data. While Education Minister Bernard Drainville cited a 140% increase in foreign students since 2014, the statistics reveal a more nuanced picture. The surge in international enrollment primarily occurs in public institutions and government-subsidized private colleges, which align with Quebec's own policy to attract talent from French-speaking countries. This contradicts claims about unsubsidized private colleges, which have seen a significant decline in foreign student numbers. The discrepancy highlights the complexity of Quebec's international education landscape and raises questions about the government's proposed restrictive measures.
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