Students with dreams of establishing a new life have taken to the streets to protest against the decisions taken by Justin Trudeau government.
Deportation crisis sparked Indian students fury against Canadian Government. Canada has been a top priority for Indian students due to quality education, advanced technologies, and job security. However, the Justin Trudeau-led government has introduced new federal policy leaving Indian students at the risk of immediate deportation. In this article, we will discuss about the reasons behind this protest and overall impact on Indian students in Canada.
There has been a rapid population growth over the last couple of years in Canada. At least 97% of previous year's population increase in Canada was “driven by immigration,” according to Federal data.
To prevent excessive population growth and migration rate, Canada government issued new immigration policy. The new federal policy stated to reduce the “number of permanent residency nominations by 25%” along with limiting study permits.
This may lead to deportation of at least 70,000 Indian students.
In 2022, Canada government decided to expand temporary foreign workers intake. As per temporary foreign workers programme, immigrants are allowed to work there on a short-term basis to combat labour shortages. However, within two years, the government is reversing the original plan.
According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), “183,820 temporary foreign worker permits were granted in 2023, a steep 88 per cent increase from 2019”.
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"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's pathways to success for everyone who comes to Canada," Justin Trudeau told reporters recently.
According to new rules, work permits will be immediately rejected in areas with unemployment rate above 6%. The changes will exclude agriculture, food processing, construction and healthcare sectors.
The ESDC criticised employers for using the temporary foreign workers programme to "circumvent hiring talented workers in Canada".
Indian students comprises over 41% of Canada's total international student population, contributing hugely to the country's economic growth. It was further estimated that students from Punjab of India spend more than Rs 68,000 crore yearly for education purpose in Canada.
Hundreds of Indian students and alumni have started protesting against the new federal policy in front of the legislative assembly in Canada's Prince Edward Island province. Similar protests were also seen in the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
"I spent the most crucial six years of my life taking many risks to come to Canada," says Mehakdeep Singh, a former international student who is facing deportation.
"For the past six years, I studied, I worked, I paid taxes, I earned enough CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points but the government has just taken advantage of us," Mr Singh said.
Many students like Mr Singh had spent their family's savings on university tuition fees with a hope of receiving permanent residency.
Amidst local housing and jobs crisis, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is currently under pressure to decrease the rate of temporary residents, which has been increasing in recent years. Meanwhile, Mr Trudeau has been trailing in polls for election scheduled in 2025.
The Trudeau-government has also hinted at more strict rules to decrease the temporary resident population to 5% of Canada's total population in upcoming three years.
Indian students working part-time in Canada support the gig economy there. Thus, sudden change in rule will hurt genuine students and the nation.
