The Canadian Government is set to impose a national cap to reduce the intake of international students into the country.

According to the countrys immigration minister, Marc Miller, during an interview on Sunday with CTVs Question Period, the Canadian government will need to have a meeting with provincial governments to make sure that the provinces that have not been doing their jobs actually rein in those numbers on a pure volume basis.

That volume is disconcerting, Miller said, in reference to the number of international students in Canada. Its really a system that has gotten out of control.

It was earlierreported that Canada had raised its cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants, basically for international students, to $20,000 from $10,000 starting from January 1, 2024.

Reacting to the new development, Miller said, The Canadian government has faced criticism for welcoming an increasing number of immigrants - both permanent and temporary residents - while the country faces an acute housing shortage.

Meanwhile, new reporting by The Canadian Press - citing internal documents obtained through an access to information request - shows the goverment was warned by public servants two years ago that its ambitious immigration targets could jeopardise housing affordability.

The Liberals have set targets aiming to bring in 485,000 immigrants this year, and 500,000 in both 2025 and 2026. (The PUNCH)