Canada Students Protest: Hundreds of Indian students especially from Punjab have taken to the streets to stage a protest against the Canadian Government in Brampton. Punjabi students protest against the Justin Trudeau government is taking over the fears of deportation. The Justin Trudeau government has introduced multiple changes to its immigration policy and it is likely to impact Indian students the most. Canada has been among the favourite destinations for study and work for Punjabi students in India. However, the Canada Immigration Rule Change is likely to impact Punjabi students who have gone there with hopes of getting a better lifestyle and earnings. Now, the question arises why Punjabi students in Canada are protesting against Justin Trudeau's government? Below is what you should know-
Canada Punjabi students protest reason
Canada Immigration Policy Rule Change: One of the most notable changes is the new language proficiency requirement for applicants for the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). Starting November 1, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum level of language proficiency in either English or French. University graduates will need to achieve a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of level 7, while college graduates must attain level 5. This move is intended to enhance the likelihood of applicants transitioning to permanent residency. However, this change is expected to reduce the number of Post-Graduate Work Permits issued by 175,000 over the next three years.
Notably, the protest started in Toronto and has since spread to cities like Brampton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Montreal. The protesting students were seen carrying placards saying, "Good Enough to work, Good Enough to Stay".
As per reports, the Canadian government has decided to end a policy that allowed students to extend their post-graduate work permits (PGWPs) by 18 months.
Why Canada is limiting immigration?
Justin Trudeau's government is facing the heat over Canada's jobs and housing crisis. Hence, the government came up with limiting immigration solution. For the unversed, a PGWP is granted to an international student soon after they complete their studies. The move by Canadian government is said to impact around 1.3 lakh international students. Furthermore, Canada had introduced a two-year cap on the intake of international students in January.
In December 2023, the Trudeau government announced it would not offer extensions to students whose PGWPs expired after December 31, 2023. As per The Wire, there were over 800,000 international students in 2022, up from 214,000 a decade ago when the study visa program picked up pace in Canada.
On 18th September 2024, Marc Miller, the Canadian Immigration Minister announced multiple measures. He stated, “The measures we have taken up until now are working, when you look at the growth, we have seen in people who are temporary residents of Canada, that is something that has grown almost exponentially over the last few years."
He announced, “The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. We will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students in recognition of the benefits they bring to the Canadian labour market.”
“The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to. We are taking action to strengthen our temporary residence programs and roll out a more comprehensive immigration plan to meet the demands of today’s changing landscape. Our immigration system must preserve its integrity, and be well-managed and sustainable. And as we look forward, we will do everything it takes to achieve that goal and set newcomers up for success,” Marc Miller further stated in the press release.