As Canada undertakes a significant overhaul of its immigration policies, tens of thousands of international students have taken to the streets in protest against new measures introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal government.
According to a report by City News Toronto, approximately 70,000 foreign students participated in nationwide demonstrations, with protests held across several provinces, including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The discontent stems from recent changes to immigration policy, particularly the abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021.
Additionally, last year, the federal government imposed a two-year cap on international student visas, further restricting opportunities for foreign students.
In 2023, international students accounted for 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada, contributing to pressures on housing, employment, and other services.
With the new cap on student visas, the government anticipates a 35 percent reduction in the intake of foreign students.
In June, the Canadian government announced that foreign nationals could no longer apply for a PGWP at the border, a decision that has intensified concerns among international students.
Amid these developments, representatives from the Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, have raised alarms that many graduates could face deportation when their work permits expire at the end of the year.
The situation has been exacerbated by new provincial policies that include 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,” said Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student facing deportation, in an interview with City News Toronto.
Meanwhile, immigrant workers have also staged rallies in recent months, particularly in Brampton, countering claims that they are responsible for the local housing and job crises.
