CITIZENS COMPASS–Thousands of foreign students in Canada have taken to the streets following the moves by the country to repatriate 70,000 of them.
Citizens Compass learnt that the the Justin Trudeau-led federal government aims to achieve a major immigration overhaul in the country.
City News Toronto on Tuesday, disclosed this in one of its reports.
It said approximately 70,000 foreign students participated in the nationwide protests.
According to the reports, there were demonstrations across provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
In 2021, the work permit for international students under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program was abolished, and last year, the federal government also introduced a two-year cap on international student visas.
In 2023, international students accounted for 37 per cent of study visa holders in Canada, contributing to existing pressures from the housing crisis, unemployment, and other services. With the cap on student visas, the government expects a 35 per cent reduction in the intake of foreign students.
To address this, the Canadian government in June announced that foreign nationals can nolonger apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border.
Amid 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 worsened with new provincial policies that have introduced 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,” Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, told City News Toronto.
Similarly, immigrant workers have staged rallies in recent months throughout Brampton, countering claims that they are to blame for local housing and job crises.
