Tens of thousands of international students have taken to the streets across Canada in protest against new immigration policies introduced by the federal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The demonstrations, which took place in provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, were reported to have involved around 70,000 participants.
The protests come in response to significant changes in immigration rules, particularly affecting international students. In 2021, the Canadian government abolished the work permit for international students under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. This was followed by the introduction of a two-year cap on international student visas in 2022.
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The changes have sparked widespread concern among international students, who now make up 37 percent of all study visa holders in Canada. The government anticipates that the visa cap will result in a 35 percent reduction in the intake of foreign students, further exacerbating existing pressures related to housing, unemployment, and other services.
In June 2024, the Canadian government announced additional restrictions, stating that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit at the border. The new policies have also seen a 25 percent reduction in permanent residency nominations by provincial authorities.
Representatives from the student advocacy group Naujawan Support Network have raised alarms, warning that many international graduates could face deportation once their work permits expire at the end of the year.
“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 now facing deportation, in an interview with City News Toronto.
In recent months, immigrant workers have also staged rallies throughout Brampton, countering claims that they are responsible for local housing and job crises. The protests underscore growing discontent among foreign nationals in Canada as they navigate increasingly stringent immigration policies.
