Tens of Thousands of International Students Protest New Canadian Immigration Policies

Tens of thousands of international students took to the streets across Canada this week in widespread protests against recent immigration policies introduced by the federal government. The demonstrations, which drew an estimated 70,000 participants, occurred in key provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia, according to a report by City News Toronto on Monday.

The protests were sparked by a series of immigration reforms that have left many international students anxious about their future in Canada, with fears of deportation looming large. A significant point of contention is the abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021, which previously allowed international students to gain work experience in Canada after completing their studies. The situation was further exacerbated last year when the federal government introduced a two-year cap on international student visas.

International students, who as of 2023 comprised 37 percent of all study visa holders in Canada, are facing a potential 35 percent reduction in new student visa approvals due to the recent cap. The government has defended these measures as necessary to ease pressures on housing, unemployment, and public services. However, in June, the Canadian government tightened regulations even further, announcing that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a PGWP at the border, intensifying concerns among students about their prospects in Canada.

Student advocacy groups, such as the Naujawan Support Network, have voiced alarm over the impact of these policies, warning that many international graduates could face deportation when 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 points, but the government has taken advantage of us,” said Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student now facing possible deportation.

The situation has been further complicated by new provincial policies, including a 25 percent reduction in permanent residency nominations, which limit the pathways for international students to remain in Canada. 

In a related development, immigrant workers have also organized rallies in cities like Brampton, pushing back against claims that they are contributing to local housing and job crises. The growing unrest among both students and workers highlights the broader challenges and tensions surrounding Canada's immigration policies.