Canadian Government Announces Reduction in Student Permits
The Canadian government is set to implement a drastic reduction in international student permits, with a 35% decrease planned for 2024 and an additional 10% cut by 2025. This move aims to alleviate challenges related to student influx and accommodation, significantly impacting around 700,000 foreign students.
Expiry of Work Permits Raises Concerns
As of May 2023, the number of foreign students in Canada exceeded one million. Many of these students, including 396,235 who hold post-graduation work permits, now face uncertainty as their permits are expiring soon. This situation complicates their dreams of gaining permanent residency, prompting protests from students hailing from Punjab, India.
Expectation for Immigrant Departure Increases
With policies tightening under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, Canada might force an estimated five million temporary residents to leave by the end of 2025. Among them are approximately 700,000 international students currently navigating the complex landscape induced by new immigration policies.
Stricter Scrutiny on False Documentation
Immigration Minister Mark Miller emphasized that the increasing number of residency applications is concerning and mandates stricter scrutiny. The objective is to eliminate fraudulent applicants, affecting those using temporary work permits designed for acquiring necessary Canadian work experience for permanent residency applications.
Opposition and Criticism Within Canada’s Political Landscape
Opposition figures like the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada “Pierre Poilievre” of have criticized Trudeau’s policies, arguing they create unnecessary hardships for temporary residents without adequately benefiting Canada. As tension builds nationally and internationally over these immigration reforms, many await potential shifts in policy that might affect their future in Canada.
