International students and temporary workers going to Canada from Punjab have started protest in Brampton, Canada.
Similar protests are seen in other Canadian provinces, including Prince Edward Island.
The protesters say that their work permits are expiring and they were hoping to get PR, but that did not happen.
Changes in Canadian visa rules have threatened PR hopes, and that is why they are worried about their future.
A student present at the demonstration says that he is a student and his “Work Experience” has already been completed.
“The problem is that there has been no express entry draw since Covid, which has caused a lot of damage”.
He further states that “others who went to different states targeting the PNP, when they had completed their ‘work experience’, were sent back by saying, “The company doesn’t need men.”
He cites as an example, that when a welder started a program, the company at that time needed a person as a worker. But when the student’s welder program ends, suddenly company says that the company does not need the person as a worker. Whereas, this thing should have been told by the company to the student a year ago.
He says that “they have “work experience”, but the government has changed the rules of the game at the end of the game.”
International students and temporary workers in Canada mainly get PR through the PNP or Express Entry program, but students say, rule changes have made it more difficult. The students request that the period of their work permit be extended.
Another youth worker from the Youth Support Network points out that about 70,000 children’s work permits are expiring.
“According to previous rules, children could usually get PR within three years of their work permit, but now the government has deliberately tightened the rules so much that no one can get PR within three years anymore.
According to the new rules, students will have not any option to extend their work permits. The only option left to them is to apply for asylum (refugee claim).
Children coming here after 12th, students living there are advised not to come now. Because, they may not be able to score PR marks in three years now.
Another student who went to Canada as an international student says that he tried to talk to several government officials but did not get a positive response.
They say that, this dharna will continue day and night now. Because, no MP or any government representative listened to us. That’s why we have now sat on a permanent agitation.
He further says that “if the draws had been given earlier, this would not have happened. Because, these are the same children with the same draw.”
Issues related to increased immigration, housing shortages, inflation and unemployment have long been hot topics in Canada.
In March 2024, Canadian Immigration Minister Mark Miller stated that Canada plans to reduce the current number of temporary residents from 6.2% to 5% in the near future.
The Government of Canada decided to limit the number of students coming to Canada in January 2024. According to this decision, only 3,60,000 students will get study permits in 2024, which is 35% less than last year.
Changes in Canadian government policy
Most of the students from India go to Canada to study. But now the Canadian government is also becoming stricter towards the students.
After studying in Canada, international students get a three-year work permit. During this period, students apply for PR (Permanent Citizenship) under PNP or Federal Scheme.
But now Canada has refused to renew work permit after post graduation. For this reason, many international students fear deportation.
To meet the needs of the labor market during the coronavirus pandemic, Canada implemented a policy to extend the duration of work permits by a temporary 18-month period. However, the Canadian government has recently changed this policy. At the same time, the GIC has been increased from $10,000 to $20,635.
The cost of living in Canada for students traveling to Canada on a study visa is known as GIC. The new GIC rules have come into effect from January 1, 2024.
Spouses of international students pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree in Canada will be issued a Spouse Visa by the Government of Canada.
Now students pursuing lower level courses cannot bring their spouse to Canada with them on Spouse visa. Whereas, earlier, international students pursuing diploma courses could also invite their spouses to Canada.
Source: BBC Punjabi