No-Shows, Job Losses, and Empty Buses

Where Did the Students Go? No-Shows, Job Losses, and Empty Buses

Every September, communities across Canada — especially in places like Surrey, Burnaby, and Toronto — brace themselves for a big shift. Universities and colleges reopen, international students return, and suddenly buses, SkyTrain cars, and streets are packed with young people rushing to classes, jobs, and new lives.

But this year feels very different.

Last September, buses in Surrey were so crowded you could barely squeeze in. This September? Not nearly the same rush. And it isn’t just me noticing — the data backs it up.

50,000 No-Shows and 88,617 Fewer Students

• In spring 2024, Canadian institutions reported nearly 50,000 international students as “no-shows” — people who had permits but never enrolled. That’s about 6.9% of all tracked students.
• Then, in 2025, the trend worsened. From January to June, there were 88,617 fewer new international student arrivals compared to the year before. That’s a stunning 70% drop.

These numbers aren’t just statistics — they’re thousands of missing faces on campuses, in libraries, in restaurants, and yes, on public transit.

The Job Market Connection

At the same time, Canada lost 66,000 jobs in August 2025. According to Statistics Canada, almost all of those losses were in part-time positions, particularly in the services sector — restaurants, retail, transportation, and warehousing.

Who usually fills those jobs? Students.

International students have long kept the part-time economy humming. They take evening shifts in grocery stores, work in coffee shops, help staff warehouses, and keep delivery services running. When they don’t return, those positions disappear — and it shows in the data.

A Changing September

Normally, September is a month when the labour market gets a boost. Domestic and international students return, pick up work, and balance classes with jobs. But this year, instead of growth, we saw contraction.

The absence of students is reshaping not just the job market but everyday life. Fewer students means:

• Less crowding on transit.
• Fewer renters in already tight housing markets (though demand still far outweighs supply).
• Less spending in local businesses that rely on student customers.

Why I Feel Hopeful

Now here’s the part that matters to me personally: I’m actually happy about this shift.

I’ve been unhoused for five years, pushed out by impossible rents and locked out of steady work. For so long, it’s felt like every part-time job was already taken before I could even get a chance. The flood of students filled up not only classrooms and buses but also the jobs and housing that locals like me desperately needed.

So yes — while businesses may be complaining, I see an opening. Maybe this year, someone like me can finally get hired. Maybe I’ll be able to afford a room to rent. Maybe locals will get a fairer shot at stability.

It doesn’t erase the bigger problems — the housing crisis, low wages, and how hard it is to climb back when you’ve been left out for years. But for the first September in a long time, I feel a little bit of hope.

What It All Means

The Canadian government’s cap on international students was introduced to cool down the housing market and address systemic issues in education. But the ripple effects are much broader. Communities, job markets, and even daily commutes are all feeling the shift.

So when you notice your bus isn’t as crowded this September, or when you hear that Canada lost 66,000 jobs, remember: these stories are connected. The missing students are reshaping our cities in ways that go beyond campuses — and for some of us, it might finally mean a chance to rebuild.

👉 What about you? Have you noticed emptier buses, less hustle in student neighborhoods, or changes in your own job search this September?