Critics knock McGuinty's money motive

Students feel "objectified" by Ontario Premier's pledge to boost economy by capitalizing on foreign student market

By Meghan Lawson, Editor-In-Chief

Issue date: 3/18/10 Section: News

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<b>Premier Dalton McGuinty plans to increase Ontario's international student population by 50%, raising enrollment from 37,000 to 45,000 in five years</b> Art: Corrie Jackson

Premier Dalton McGuinty plans to increase Ontario's international student population by 50%, raising enrollment from 37,000 to 45,000 in five years Art: Corrie Jackson

Premier Dalton McGuinty sees international students as the lynchpin for Ontario's economic recovery, but students and administrators beg to differ.

As part of his Throne Speech on Mar. 8, McGuinty pledged to boost Ontario's economic recovery by opening the door wide to the global postsecondary education industry. This plan aims to increase the enrollment of international students in the province by 50% over the next five years.

At UofT, McGuinty's focus on the financial return has triggered criticism from students and administrators alike. Fourth year student Arturo Martinez Peguero, who is originally from Mexico, is uneasy with the characterization of international students as gears in the economic machine. "I feel almost objectified and somewhat glad that I'm about to finish. I'm not sure I want to be a part of this," explains Peguero, who is completing his degree in Computer Science and Psychology.

For Ben Yang, Director of UofT's International Student Centre, the Premier's plan is in many ways a step forward. "Overall, I think certainly that more internationals coming to Canada is a positive thing. There's no question about it, because international students make so much contribution to our community."

But Yang is equally wary of the Premier's emphasis on the bottom line. "This is about education as a commodity that can be bought and can be sold."

Currently, Ontario's international student population hovers around 37,000 students, who spend an estimated $1 billion per year on living essentials such as groceries and housing. In Canada, international students generate more than $6.5 billion towards the national economy.

However, blogger Joey Coleman warns that Ontario is entering an extremely competitive market, and will need to invest millions of dollars in student recruitment strategies overseas to achieve its goal. "Sadly Ontario is following the pack and chasing the pocketbooks of international students - not their brains," argues Coleman, who blogs about the McGuinty government's post-secondary policies for the Globe and Mail's globecampus.ca

Continued...

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