International Education
Table of Contents
The International Education Act C.C.S.M. c. 175
On January 1, 2016, the International Education Act (IEA)
and its associated Regulations 51(1) and 51(2) were approved by Cabinet and the Minister respectively. Upon proclamation, the IEA and Regulations came into force, as per section 54.
The IEA has two main purposes:
- to protect international students attending educational institutions in the province from potential fraud and negligence, and
- to promote Manitoba’s reputation as a high quality destination for international study by providing a measure of quality assurance through the IEA.
The IEA makes Manitoba the first province to regulate the educational service provider industry by employing legislation to protect international students and to promote and maintain the quality and integrity of Manitoba’s reputation in the international education community. In addition, the IEA provides a process by which the province can designate which Manitoba institutions are eligible to enrol international students.
The IEA was developed in response to regulatory amendments made to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) International Student Program (ISP) that came into force on June 1, 2014. The amendments to the ISP regulations introduced new study permit conditions requiring international students to be enrolled in a course or program of study of six months or more at a learning institution designated by a province or territory.
The IEA establishes a policy and a process for designating education providers (DEP) in Manitoba. The IEA applies to all DEPs and to all programs of any length for international students in Manitoba or offshore.
The changes to the ISP limits issue of study permits only to students destined to study at Designated Learning Institutions (DLI) at the post-secondary level. The Manitoba DLI list is posted and updated regularly on the IRCC Designated Learning Institutions List webpage.
Regulations
There are two Regulations associated with the IEA.
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The International Education Cabinet Regulation 51(1)
The International Education Cabinet Regulation
as identified in Section 51(1) of the IEA elaborates, and makes more definitive, specific sections in the IEA such as establishing and maintaining the online register of designated education providers (DEP), outlining the record keeping and reporting obligations, as well as the fee structure for designation and application. The Ministerial Code of Practice and Conduct Regulation 51(2)
The Ministerial Code of Practice and Conduct Regulation
as specified in Section 51(2) of the IEA, elaborates, and makes more definitive, sections 17 and 18 of the Act. This includes the purpose and content of the Code as well as expectations for compliance with the Code on the part of DEPs, their staff recruiters and contracted agents.
The Guide to the Code of Practice and Conduct Regulation for Manitoba Designated Education Providers, their Staff Recruiters and Contracted Agents
For more information, view or download The Guide to the Code of Practice & Conduct Regulation for Manitoba Designated Education Providers, their Staff Recruiters & Contracted Agents
3.49 MB)The Guide to the Code of Practice and Conduct Regulation was developed in collaboration with the International Education Act Working Group (IEAWG) that included representatives from the Manitoba government and DEPs.
The Guide brings together the relevant sections from the IEA, and the Ministerial Code of Practice and Conduct Regulation as well as suggestions or best practices to assist DEPs in interpreting and complying with the IEA and the Regulation.
The Public Register of Designated Education Providers
View or download the Public Register of Designated Education Providers
It is a requirement under section 5 of the IEA that a register of DEPs be made available online to the public. All DEPs are searchable on the public register. In accordance with section 5(2), the register must contain the following information for each DEP:
- its name, address and contact details;
- its designation date;
- if applicable, the expiry date of its provisional designation;
- the conditions imposed on its designation;
- information as to whether it has been the subject of a compliance order;
- information as to whether its designation is or has been suspended or cancelled;
- if applicable, information as to whether a registration that it is required to obtain and maintain under another Act has been suspended or cancelled in any of the prescribed number of years;
- the information specified in the regulations, if any.
For assistance in using the public register and/or finding information, please contact the Advanced Education Division at PSI@gov.mb.ca.
Information Handbook for Meeting Designation Requirements
View or download the Information Handbook for Meeting Designation Requirements
