The government temporarily lifted the cap in November last year, a move that benefited over 500,000 students. It was lifted to address labor shortages and help the economy recover faster. This move allowed over 500,000 international students to work more hours. However, it is set to end on December 31.
International students and advocacy groups in Canada are urging the federal government to permanently remove the 20-hour cap on off-campus work for students.
The government temporarily lifted the cap in November last year, a move that benefited over 500,000 students. It was lifted to address labor shortages and help the economy recover faster. This move allowed over 500,000 international students to work more hours. However, it is set to end on December 31.
However, study permit holders must still balance work and study commitments. Those who were reducing course loads or stopping part-time study were ineligible for off-campus work.
“With the economy growing at a faster rate than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and workforce needed to fuel our growth,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said last year when the government lifted the ban.
“By allowing international students to work more while they study, we can help ease pressing needs in many sectors across the country while providing more opportunities for international students to gain valuable Canadian work experience and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity,” he added.
Temporarily lifting the work hour cap last year allowed 20-year-old international student Krunal Chavda to work more hours and pay off substantial student loans.
“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,” the University of Saskatchewan student said in an interview with CBC News.
With the cap returning in 2024, students like Chavda are facing increased financial strain, with inflation affecting their budgets.
Chavda’s classmate, Meghal, highlighted the widespread struggle among students, emphasizing the growing difficulty in sustaining themselves. Domenici Medina, an international student from Ecuador, also emphasized the financial relief of working full-time and the impact on overall well-being.
The looming end of the policy is prompting students like Doris Yim to search for on-campus jobs. The pharmacy student pointed out the challenges she faces in affording healthier options and essential medical appointments.
The federal immigration department stated that they are assessing the impact of the policy and its contribution to addressing Canada’s labor shortage. They promised to inform the public of any changes to the current plan.
Despite the assurance from the government, students like Ana Sofía Díaz from the University of Manitoba are expressing frustration and discouragement, particularly in light of rising fees and the removal of financial resources.
Karandeep Singh Sanghera, the student union president at Capilano University, stressed the impracticality of living on minimum wage while adhering to the 20-hour work limit. Sanghera and other student representatives have appealed to MPs in Ottawa to make the policy permanent.
James Casey, a policy and research analyst at the Canadian Federation of Students, cited the disproportionate impact on international students, who make up 40 percent of the federation’s members.
Casey emphasized the significant disparity in tuition fees between domestic and international students. He painted a dire picture of the challenges faced by international students, including sharing beds, homelessness, and potential exploitation.
In Ontario, the Ste. Louise Outreach Food Bank in Brampton City is now refusing entry to international students seeking free food due to an overwhelming surge. The local food bank has begun hanging up signs to prohibit international students, citing “government regulations.”
Before this, international students were relying on food banks to meet their needs. The situation started in September with one or two students visiting the local food bank in one day, until it became at least five to ten daily.
Official numbers align with the on-ground situation, with the 2023 HungerCount report showing the highest food bank usage since 1989. In March alone, approximately two million people, including a number of employed individuals, relied on food banks, marking a 32 percent increase from the previous year and a 78 percent rise from March 2019.
The report attributed this surge to the escalating cost of living, with inflation and high expenses making it difficult for more Canadians to afford essentials. Emphasizing the unprecedented demand, the study noted that 17 percent of this year’s food bank clients are employed but earn insufficient income to meet basic needs. The rapid increase in inflation, the fastest observed in the last 40 years, compounds the challenges faced by individuals seeking assistance from food banks.
MacEwan University student Matt Kraus, who returned after a decade to post-secondary in 2021 for his Bachelor of Commerce, noted a distinct change in the financial challenges of student life this time around.
“Wages are sticky, so they haven’t really increased along with the outsizing of your day-to-day costs,” he told CBC in a separate report.
Despite securing well-paying part-time jobs, Kraus acknowledged the trade-offs, like sometimes skipping class to pick up shifts.
Advocacy groups, such as the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, have been calling for the removal of the 20-hour work limit since 2017.
Organizer Sarom Rho stressed the urgency of the situation and called on Prime Minister Trudeau and Immigration Minister Mark Miller to permanently lift the cap, citing the potential for human trafficking and exploitative labor practices if the decision is not made permanent.
Rho noted the dire conditions faced by current and former international students, emphasizing the need for equal rights and protections for all, regardless of immigration status.
