Protests erupt across Canada as 70,000 international students face deportation
Tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada this week to protest the government’s new immigration policy. About 70,000 students participated in demonstrations in major provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia, Toronto City News reported Monday. The protests were sparked by a series of immigration reforms that left international students fearful of deportation. In 2021, Canada will abolish its Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program, which previously allowed international students to gain valuable work experience in the country after completing their degrees. course. Most worryingly, last year the federal government imposed a two-year limit on international student visas. By 2023, international students will make up 37% of study visa holders in Canada. However, the new restrictions are expected to reduce the enrollment of foreign students to 35%, a program that the government says is necessary to reduce pressure on housing, unemployment and services. the people. In June, the government tightened the rules by announcing that foreigners could no longer apply for work permits after graduation in the region. The changes have sparked fears among students about their future in Canada. Student support groups including the Naujawan Support Network have warned that many international graduates will face layoffs after their work permits expire at the end of the year. – I have been going to Canada for six years. I studied, worked, paid taxes and got a lot of GLS marks, but the government took advantage of us,” said Mehakdeep Singh, a former student of the international community. reduction. This situation is reinforced by the province’s recent policies, which include reducing nominations for permanent residence by 25%, and reducing opportunities for international students to stay in Canada. Migrant workers have also demonstrated in cities such as Brampton to protest claims that they are suffering from a housing and job crisis.
ICYMI: Protests erupt across Canada as 70,000 international students face deportation
