Canada is currently witnessing countrywide protests as more than 70,000 international student graduates face uncertainty about their futures due to recent changes in federal immigration policies. These policy shifts, announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, have raised concerns among students who risk deportation under the new regulations.
The Situation:
- Risk of Deportation: The policy changes, which include restrictions on study permits, have left international students vulnerable. Many of these students, who arrived in Canada with dreams of building new lives, are now voicing their frustration through demonstrations.
- Impact on Students: Tens of thousands of students who had planned to apply for permanent residency after completing their studies now find themselves burdened with significant debt and shattered dreams.
- Provincial Policies: New provincial policies call for a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations, exacerbating the risk of deportation for many students.
Voices from the Streets:
- Mehakdeep Singh: A former international student facing deportation, Singh expressed his dismay: “I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada… I studied, I worked, I paid taxes, I earned enough CRS points, but the government has just taken advantage of us.”
- Coast-to-Coast Protests: International students across Canada are organizing rallies. Some have set up encampments outside legislative assemblies, protesting overnight for months. Similar scenes unfold in Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
Why Canada Is Reducing Temporary Foreign Workers:
- On Monday, the Canadian government announced a significant reduction in the number of temporary foreign workers it accepts. This decision aims to address rising concerns about the number of temporary residents.
- Trudeau’s cabinet is also considering cuts to permanent residency streams, emphasizing responsible integration and pathways to success for immigrants.
Key Changes:
- Low-Wage Workers: The new changes will end low-wage temporary foreign workers in communities with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher.
- Employer Limits: Employers can now hire only 10% of low-wage temporary foreign workers.
- Permit Duration: The duration of low-wage temporary foreign worker permits has been shortened from two years to one.
Canada faces a critical juncture as students rally for their futures. The government’s decisions will shape the lives of thousands of international graduates seeking stability and permanence in the country.
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