As Canada moves towards significant changes in its immigration policies, tens of thousands of international students have taken to the streets across the country to protest the new measures introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s federal government.
The demonstrations, which drew approximately 70,000 participants, were held in provinces including Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
According to a report by City News Toronto, the protests were sparked by the abolition of the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program in 2021 and the introduction of a two-year cap on international student visas last year.
These changes have caused widespread concern among foreign students, who now face increased uncertainty about their future in Canada.
In 2023, international students made up 37 percent of study visa holders in Canada.
Their presence has been linked to rising pressures on the country’s housing, employment, and other essential services.
The federal government, in response, has set a target of reducing the intake of foreign students by 35 percent.
As part of these measures, the Canadian government announced in June that foreign nationals would no longer be able to apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border.
This decision has further fueled fears among students and graduates that they may be forced to leave Canada once their work permits expire.
Representatives from the Naujawan Support Network, a student advocacy group, have warned that many international graduates could face deportation at the end of the year due to the new policies.
The situation has been exacerbated by recent provincial policies that have introduced a 25% reduction in permanent residency nominations, making it even more difficult for international students to remain in Canada.
“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 the threat of deportation, in an interview with City News Toronto.
In recent months, immigrant workers have also staged rallies across Brampton, countering claims that they are to blame for the housing and job crises in local communities.
The protests reflect growing frustration among international students and immigrants, who feel increasingly marginalized by the government’s changing policies.
