Hundreds of Indian graduates in Canada have marched in protest against new federal policies endangering their residency status. The demonstrations started more than three months ago and have mainly taken place in Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
The latest immigration policy brings about notable adjustments, such as a 25% decrease in permanent residency nominations and stricter regulations on study permits. More than 70,000 student graduates in Canada are now unsure about what lies ahead for them.
Numerous foreign students, particularly those from India, have dedicated significant time, energy, and funding to their studies in Canada with the goal of obtaining permanent residency. The change in policy has caused worry for these graduates, who are now at risk of being deported once their work permits run out by the end of the year.
Groups advocating for students, like the Naujawan Support Network, have expressed concerns about the vulnerable position of these recent graduates. Mehakdeep Singh, a previous international student currently at risk of deportation, shared his frustration by stating, "I dedicated six critical years of my life to taking numerous risks in order to come to Canada." Even though we studied, worked, paid taxes, and earned sufficient CRS points, the government has recently exploited us.
Just like numerous individuals, Singh used his family's savings to pay for tuition in the hopes of securing permanent residency. The hopes of international students have been crushed by the recent policy changes, leading to even more uncertainty.
Due to the surge in population due to immigration, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration is facing demands to control the flow of short-term residents. The government of Trudeau is reducing the amount of temporary foreign workers permitted in the country, which is a reversal of a previous increase in the program aimed at tackling labour shortages.
183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were issued in 2023 by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), showing an 88% rise compared to 2019. The ESDC has condemned employers for exploiting the program to avoid hiring qualified Canadian workers. In areas where the unemployment rate is 6% or greater, work permits will not be granted under the revised policy, except for industries such as agriculture, food processing, construction, and healthcare.
Prime Minister Trudeau mentioned that Canada is exploring different approaches to maintain its support for immigration, while also ensuring responsible integration and pathways to success for newcomers.
The Canadian government has also promised to decrease the number of temporary residents to 5% of the total population in three years. The International Sikh Student Organization, along with other advocacy groups, asserts that problems with employment and housing stem from overarching policy shortcomings, not solely from the migration of international students.
