Since 2021, Councillor Rowena Santos has worked tirelessly to improve the experience of and address challenges related to the influx of international students. Through advocacy and the implementation of broad structural changes that address the unique needs of international students, in May, Regional Council staff shared an update on the Region’s progress based on a series of motions championed by Councillor Santos.
Recognizing the need for systemic changes to support the growing international student population, Councillor Rowena Santos championed the collaborative Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience. Through extensive community discussions and close collaboration with Sheridan College, the City of Brampton established a charter that focused on creating long-term solutions that better accommodate the growing international student population.
The landmark charter outlined five clear goals for improving the international student experience.
- Ethical Recruitment – Advocating for ethical recruitment of students by providing clearer information about the full cost of studying and living in Canada, encouraging direct applications, vetting recruitment agents, and protecting students against substantial increases in international student tuition fees.
- Academic & Wrap-Around Supports – Providing students with more accessible and culturally appropriate healthcare, mental health and community building resources to help students better navigate Canada’s academic and social environment.
- Safe, Affordable Housing & Financial Stability – Improving access to safe and legal housing, educating international students on their rights as tenants, and working to ensure landlords meet municipal safety standards.
- Legal & Reliable Work Opportunities – Preventing the exploitation of international students through stronger enforcement of provincial labour laws and education on workers’ rights, while also developing targeted experiential education and co-op opportunities for international students.
- Transparent Pathways to Citizenship – Pushing for clearer, more accessible information and guidance on the pathway to citizenship in Canada while working with municipal governments to provide access to community resources that ensure students’ well-being during their transition to permanent residency.
As of 2026, the first 3 goals of the 5 outlined in the Charter have already been achieved. Through federal, provincial and municipal policy changes, this advocacy has led to strengthened oversight and regulation of international student recruitment, increased accessibility to culturally appropriate support resources, and expanded access to safe and affordable housing through initiatives like Brampton’s Residential Rental Licensing Program (RRL).
Championed by Councillor Santos, the RRL Pilot Program focuses on reducing the exploitation of and improving housing conditions for international students in Brampton. Through this pilot program, landlords must complete an educational program that outlines clear standards for property maintenance, occupancy, insurance, and compliance to obtain a license. These standards are then enforced through escalating fines, protecting tenants by cracking down on the exploitative practices that often force international students into unsafe living conditions.
Initiatives like the Brampton Charter for Improving the International Student Experience, Peel’s International Students Collaborative, work to increase awareness of the exploitation of international students and Brampton’s RRL reflect years of advocacy and the bold trajectory that Councillor Santos and the City of Brampton have taken in support of the City’s international student population. Through pushing for systemic changes at all levels of government and continued advocacy for increased municipal support for international students, Councillor Santos is working hard to make it clear that the City of Brampton is committed to being a welcoming, safe, and livable city for the international student community.
