By kawaekwune Jeffrey
Tens of thousands of international students across Canada have taken to the streets in protest of new immigration policies introduced by the government of Canada. According to City News Toronto, around 70,000 students are participating in nationwide demonstrations, with significant protests reported in provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, respectively.
The discontent stems from a series of immigration reforms which are said to have affected international students. In 2021, Canada abolished the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, a pathway that previously allowed international students to gain work experience in Canada after completing their studies. Furthermore, the federal government introduced a two-year cap on international student visas last year, significantly affecting the number of new international students entering the country.
Recall that International students, who accounted for 37% of all study visa holders in Canada in 2023, have found themselves at the center of growing national debates surrounding housing shortages, rising unemployment, and strained social services. With the cap on student visas in place, the government anticipates a 35% reduction in international student intake.
Adding to the unrest, a June 2024 announcement from the Canadian government restricted foreign nationals from applying for the PGWP at the border. This policy shift has heightened fears among international students, many of whom face potential deportation when their current work permits expire at the end of the year, said reports.
Consequently, many advocacy groups, such as the Naujawan Support Network, have expressed deep concerns over the impact of these policies on students’ lives. The situation has been further complicated by new provincial rules that reduce permanent residency nominations by 25%, leaving many foreign students and workers in precarious situations.
Former international student Mehakdeep Singh, who is now facing deportation, expressed his frustration: “I spent six years taking risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points, but the government has taken advantage of us,” he told City News Toronto.
These protests are not isolated. Over the past few months, immigrant workers in cities like Brampton have also staged rallies, contesting claims that they are to blame for Canada’s housing and job crises.
*with Content culled from City News
