New data from the 2026 Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey reveals a severe contraction in international student recruitment across Canada due to restrictive immigration policies. During the first quarter of 2026, 69 percent of Canadian universities reported a drop in new undergraduate enrolments, while 80 percent saw declines at the postgraduate level. These figures represent a second consecutive year of deterioration, contrasting sharply with growth in Asian and European markets. In response to these policy-induced pressures, many Canadian institutions are planning budget and staff cuts, while simultaneously pivoting toward aggressive diversification strategies and financial incentives to maintain global competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain landscape.