Tens of thousands of international students are protesting across Canada against new immigration policies introduced by the federal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
According to a report by City News Toronto, around 70,000 foreign students took to the streets in several provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The protests began after several changes to immigration rules.
In 2021, the Canadian government abolished the work permit for international students under the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.
Last year, it also introduced a two-year cap on international student visas.
In 2023, international students made up 37 percent of all study visa holders in Canada, but with the cap on student visas, the government expects a 35 percent reduction in the number of foreign students coming to the country.
In June, the Canadian government announced that foreign nationals could no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit at the border.
Student groups are worried about the impact of these changes. 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.
One former international student facing deportation, Mehakdeep Singh, expressed frustration. “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,” Singh told City News Toronto.
The situation has worsened with new provincial policies, which have introduced a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations.
Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, in a press release explained that “International students are vital to Canada and enrich our communities. As such, we must ensure that they have access to the resources they need for an enriching academic experience.”
“In Canada, today, this isn’t always the case. Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse. Enough is enough. Through the decisive measures announced today, we are striking the right balance for Canada and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system while setting students up for the success they hope for.”
