British ColumbiaBC-GOV07Royal Assent
BC-GOV07: Bill 7: Post-Secondary International Education (Designated Institutions) Act
Sponsor: Hon. Jessie SunnerIntroduced February 19, 2026Last checked August 28, 2026
Read the official textOfficial version
What this bill does
This British Columbia bill creates a formal designation and regulatory framework for post-secondary institutions that enroll international students, replacing the previous Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation system with a new statutory regime requiring institutions to obtain designation certificates before they can recruit, advertise to, or enroll international students.
Plain-language summary by Legisail.
Business impact
Compliance
This bill primarily affects private and public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia that recruit and enroll international students — including private career training colleges, universities, and other post-secondary schools. These institutions handle activities like marketing programs abroad, working with education agents (recruiters), enrolling foreign nationals in courses, and delivering classroom instruction. The bill imposes new designation certificate requirements, inspections, compliance orders, and potential certificate cancellations, meaning institutions of all sizes — from small private training colleges to larger universities — must meet quality and operational standards to continue serving international students. Sole proprietorships and partnerships are explicitly ineligible, so only incorporated entities can participate in this market.
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Where this bill is
First ReadingFebruary 19, 2026
Second ReadingMarch 2, 2026
CommitteeMarch 10, 2026
Third ReadingMarch 10, 2026
Royal AssentMarch 12, 2026
Now law — awaiting coming into force
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