This week, tens of thousands of international students flocked to the streets throughout Canada to protest the federal government’s new immigration rules.
According to a City News Toronto article on Monday, the protests, which drew around 70,000 students, took place in key provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The protests came in response to a series of immigration reforms that have left many international students fearing deportation.
In 2021, Canada will end the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, which previously permitted overseas students to get useful job experience in the country after finishing their studies.
Compounding the issue, the Federal Government imposed a two-year cap on international student visas last year.
As of 2023, international students accounted for 37% of study visa holders in Canada.
However, the recent cap on student visas is likely to lower the intake of international students by 35%, a move that the government claims is required to relieve demands on housing, unemployment, and public services.
The Canadian government tightened regulations in June, saying that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border.
This decision has alarmed students who are anxious about their future in Canada.
Student advocacy groups, like the Naujawan Support Network, have warned that many international graduates may risk deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year.
“I spent six years taking risks to come to Canada. I studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned enough Comprehensive Ranking System points, but the government has taken advantage of us,” a former international student now facing the prospect of deportation, Mehakdeep Singh said.
The situation has also been exacerbated by new provincial rules, such as a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations, which have further limited the options for international students to remain in Canada.
Similarly, immigrant workers have held protests in areas such as Brampton to refute claims that they are contributing to local housing and employment crises.