Canada is witnessing an unprecedented wave of protests as thousands of international students rally against new immigration policies that could force nearly 70,000 of them out of the country. The sweeping reforms, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, have ignited fierce backlash, sparking mass demonstrations in major provinces like Ontario, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Manitoba.
These policy changes, which threaten the future of tens of thousands of students, have sent shockwaves through the international community. The controversy began in 2021 when the government axed the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, a crucial lifeline that allowed international graduates to gain valuable work experience in Canada, paving the way for permanent residency. The program’s termination has left students in a precarious position, drastically slashing their employment prospects and derailing their dreams of building a life in Canada.
The situation grew even more dire last year when a two-year cap on international student visas was imposed, tightening the noose on immigration. This policy has already begun to squeeze the student population, which made up a staggering 37% of Canada’s study visa holders in 2023. With a projected 35% drop in foreign student intake, the impact is being felt across the country, from classrooms to job markets.
Critics argue that the new immigration measures come at a time of heightened tensions over housing shortages and unemployment, with some blaming international students for exacerbating these issues. However, for the students themselves, the new rules feel like a betrayal by a country they trusted with their futures. The frustration is palpable as they grapple with the reality of possible deportation.
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Student advocacy groups like the Naujawan Support Network are raising alarms about the dire consequences that many international graduates now face. As work permits begin to expire at the end of the year, thousands are on the brink of deportation, their hopes for a better future in Canada hanging by a thread.
“I spent six years risking everything to come to Canada, but now it feels like the government has turned its back on us,” says Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student now facing the prospect of deportation. His story echoes the sentiments of countless others who feel abandoned by the very system they once believed in.
Adding to the crisis, provincial policies have slashed permanent residency nominations by 25%, leaving many students with even fewer options to secure their place in Canada. The sense of fear and uncertainty is growing, as is the resolve to fight back.
