This capstone examines the critical role and oversight of education agents in recruiting international students to Canadian post-secondary institutions (PSIs). Using the concept of academic capitalism, this study highlights a shift in PSIs’ priorities from educational value to financial gain, predominately driven by decreased government funding and expressed in the overreliance on international student tuition to subsidize an underfunded post-secondary system. Consequently, international students are treated as lucrative commodities, making them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous education agents.

Emerging as powerful market facilitators, education agents connect prospective international students with institutions that best align with their academic goals and aspirations. However, a lack of regulation and transparency in these agents' practices has led to significant ethical concerns and the exploitation of international students. This capstone identifies three key factors contributing to unethical practices by education agents: lack of transparency, insufficient regulation and oversight, and inadequate student protection.

To address these issues, the capstone proposes a multifaceted approach with three key recommendations: (1) establishing a national code of conduct for active monitoring, (2) increasing transparency through publicized lists of accredited and rogue agents, and (3) enhancing protection through feedback and reporting mechanisms. These measures aim to safeguard the interests of international students and maintain the integrity of Canada’s education system.