The conclusion of the program has led to stress among students.
The conclusion of the program has led to stress among students.
The Canadian government’s pilot program, which temporarily removes the 20-hour weekly work cap for international students, is expected to end by Dec. 31.
The decision, affecting over 500,000 students, was initiated on Nov. 15, 2022 to tackle labor shortages in Canada.
The conclusion of the program has led to stress among students, highlighting that the previous year provided them with better financial stability due to the extended work hours, with some arguing for the permanent removal of the 20-hour-per-week cap in Canada.
“The past year has been quite good in terms of finances because I could work 40 hours a week and have been able to pay off my tuition fees,” Krunal Chavda, an international student at the University of Saskatchewan told CBC news.
Student advocates warn that reinstating limits on international students’ work hours in Canada during the academic term may drive some to seek illegal employment, putting them at risk of exploitation.
Recently, Canada’s federal government announced its readiness to address long-standing issues in international student programs. These concerns include instances of fraud and exploitation associated with unscrupulous education institutions.
The ministers are addressing issues in a concerted effort to alleviate the housing crisis. The government is under pressure to bolster the supply of affordable homes – a topic that was deliberated on during the federal cabinet’s three-day retreat in Charlottetown.
At the gathering, Housing Minister Sean Fraser also raised concerns about the significant increase in foreign student enrollment. He noted how the surge is placing “unprecedented levels of demand” on the housing market.
International students in Canada were allowed to work more than 20 hours per week during studies if they met specific requirements including applying for a study permit or extension on or before October 7, 2022, or applying for a study permit extension after that date.
“You can work full-time if you’re on a scheduled break, such as winter and summer holidays, or a fall or spring reading week. You’re free to work overtime or work two part-time jobs that add up to a higher than usual number of hours,” said the Canadian government in its website
Indeed, international students in Canada have the flexibility to work full-time during scheduled breaks, such as winter or summer holidays, between academic sessions. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work on campus providing students with opportunities to gain practical experience and support their finances while studying in Canada.
In 2022, the country hosted more than 800,000 international students holding study permits across various educational sectors, including higher education. This figure represents a significant growth compared to the year 2000 when Canada welcomed just over 120,000 international students.
A recent report titled “Labor Market Outcomes of Immigrants in Ontario and its Major Cities” cited the pivotal role played by newcomers in propelling the province’s economic development, Immigration.ca reported.
Based on Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census, Demographic Estimates, Labour Force Survey, and Longitudinal Immigration Database, the report focused exclusively on immigrants holding permanent residence status. The category encompasses economic immigrants, family sponsorship immigrants, refugees, and other immigrant groups, totaling 227,424 in 2022.
The report highlighted that the employment outcomes of these newcomers are significantly influencing Ontario’s economic growth, with immigrants contributing substantially to the province’s labor force expansion.
