Amid a significant overhaul of Canada’s immigration system, tens of thousands of international students have staged mass protests across the country, voicing their opposition to the sweeping policy changes unveiled by the Federal Government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
City News Toronto reports that a massive turnout of approximately 70,000 foreign students participated in coordinated protests spanning several provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The federal government abolished the work permit for international students under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021 and introduced a two-year cap on international student visas last year.
In 2023, international students accounted for 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, contributing to existing pressures from the housing crisis, unemployment, and other services.
With the cap on student visas, the government expects to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35 percent.
In an effort to tackle this issue, the Canadian government introduced a new measure in June, stating that foreign nationals are no longer eligible to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) upon arrival at the border, requiring them to submit their applications beforehand.
With protests ongoing, representatives from the Naujawan Support Network have cautioned that a significant number of graduates are at risk of deportation as their work permits approach expiration at the end of the year.
Recent provincial policy changes have exacerbated the situation by cutting permanent residency nominations by 25%, making it even more challenging for international students to remain in the country.
“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,” Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, told City News Toronto.
In recent months, immigrant workers have organized rallies across Brampton, pushing back against accusations that they are responsible for the city’s housing and employment shortages and asserting their contributions to the community.
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