Summary

• On Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, government introduced the post secondary international education (designated institutions) act
• The proposed legislation will establish a legal framework for B.C.’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) program and provide government with the necessary tools to inspect designated institutions and take enforcement action to hold bad actors accountable
• The proposed legislation will prohibit institutions without a designation from advertising, enrolling or delivering programs that require a federal study permit
• Moving the EQA policy into law provides the government with tools and ability to protect international students from bad actors, who could jeopardize their legal status in Canada

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The B.C. government is introducing legislation to strengthen oversight of B.C.’s international education sector, ensuring better protection for international students.

“Our government is putting the protection of international students at the forefront and upholding B.C.’s reputation as a world-class education destination,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “This legislation provides the enforcement tools needed to crack down on bad actors, strengthen oversight and ensure institutions meet the highest standards. International students deserve the quality education they were promised and we are taking action to deliver exactly that.”

The EQA program sets standards that private and public institutions must meet to receive designation and be eligible to host international students with study permits. These standards exist through policy. The proposed legislation will codify this policy in law.

Making existing criteria law

The proposed legislation will create legal requirements institutions must meet to become designated. The new legal framework will set out which institutions can apply and what they must demonstrate to obtain and maintain the designation that allows them to host international students, ensuring that only institutions meeting these standards and demonstrating a genuine commitment to quality international education will host international students.

Introducing new compliance and enforcement tools

The proposed legislation will strengthen oversight and enforcement by creating the legal authority for government to inspect institutions and take enforcement action to hold bad actors accountable.

If an institution fails to meet standards or comply with terms, conditions or orders, government can cancel its designation certificate, which will cancel its ability to host international students. The act will also set out a fair, formal and transparent appeal process.  

Prohibiting non-designated institutions from enrolling international students on study permits

The proposed legislation prohibits an institution without a designation from recruiting, enrolling or delivering programs to international students who require a study permit.

Institutions must hold a designation certificate before they can advertise, accept or offer programs to international students.

This legislation will strengthen governance in international education and deliver on the government’s commitment to quality education, and protect international students from bad actors.  

Learn More:

• Find information about the EQA program and designation:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/institution-resources-administration/education-quality-assurance
• Find information about international education policies in B.C.:
  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/post-secondary-education/international-education
• Revisit the 2024 announcement about protections for international students: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PSFS0035-001111 
• For more information about B.C. legislation, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/legislation