Following the Canadian government’s move to change some of its immigration policies, thousands of international students took to the streets in cities across Canada on Tuesday to protest, saying the recent policies put their futures at risk.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) understands that the demonstrations held in Provinces such as Prince Edward Island (PEI), Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
In a bid to address the growing job and housing shortage, the Canadian government reduced the number of permanent residents, sparking outrage among international students, who are demanding an extension of their work permits after graduation and a clearer path to permanent residency.
The Federal agency reports that 97 per cent of the population increase in Canada last year was due to immigration.
To control the population growth, the Canadian government aims to limit study permits and reduce permanent residency nominations by 25 per cent. Approximately 70,000 international students are facing deportation due to the policy changes.
Speaking the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said: “We’re looking at the various streams to make sure that as we move forward, Canada remains a place that is positive in its support for immigration but also responsible in the way we integrate and make sure there are pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada.”
The Canadian government has reduced the number of study permits issued, with a 35 per cent decrease in undergraduate study visas approved this year compared to 2023.
“International students are vital to Canada and enrich our communities. As such, we must ensure that they have access to the resources they need for an enriching academic experience.
“In Canada, today, this isn’t always the case. Today, we are announcing additional measures to protect a system that has become so lucrative that it has opened a path for its abuse. Enough is enough. Through the decisive measures announced today, we are striking the right balance for Canada and ensuring the integrity of our immigration system while setting students up for the success they hope for,” explains Marc Miller, Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, in a press release.
