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Approximately 70,000 foreign students have taken to the streets across Canada as the country moves towards a significant immigration overhaul.
Tens of thousands of international students have protested the new policies introduced by the federal government led by Justin Trudeau. Demonstrations have been held in provinces such as Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
In 2021, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program was abolished, and last year, the federal government introduced a two-year cap on international student visas. In 2023, international students represented 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, adding to existing pressures from the housing crisis, unemployment, and other services. The cap on student visas is expected to reduce the intake of foreign students by 35 percent.
In response, the Canadian government announced in June that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a PGWP at the border.
Amidst the protests, representatives from the student advocacy group Naujawan Support Network have warned that many graduates could face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year. The situation has been exacerbated by new provincial policies introducing a 25% 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,” said Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, to City News Toronto.
In recent months, immigrant workers have also staged rallies in Brampton, challenging claims that they are responsible for local housing and job crises.