Taiwo Afolayan
As Canada heads toward a significant overhaul of its immigration system, tens of thousands of international students have taken to the streets to protest the new policies enacted by the federal government under Justin Trudeau.
City News Toronto reports that around 70,000 foreign students have participated in protests across various provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which allowed international students to work after graduation, was discontinued in 2021. Last year, the federal government also imposed a two-year limit on international student visas.
By 2023, international students made up 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, adding to existing pressures from the housing crisis, unemployment, and other services. With the new visa cap, the government anticipates a 35 percent decrease in the number of foreign students admitted.
To address these issues, the Canadian government announced in June that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a PGWP at the border.
Student advocacy group Naujawan Support Network has warned that many graduates could face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year amid the protests.
The situation has been exacerbated by new provincial policies, which have introduced a 25 percent reduction in permanent residency nominations.
“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 response, immigrant workers have also staged rallies in recent months in Brampton, countering accusations that they are responsible for local housing and job crises.
