Many face discrimination when seeking housing due to landlords’ gender and ethnic biases, according to Tania Das Gupta’s research on Punjabi newcomers in Canada.
Many face discrimination when seeking housing due to landlords’ gender and ethnic biases, according to Tania Das Gupta’s research on Punjabi newcomers in Canada.
Canada’s large cities are experiencing an alarming lack of affordable housing for international students, exacerbated by rent gouging, rights abuses, and discrimination. In 2022, the country hosted 807,000 international students with around 40 percent hailing from India. These students face numerous challenges including harassment, wrongful evictions, and inadequate living conditions.
A study by Tania Das Gupta revealed that many international students, particularly those from India, face discrimination in housing due to landlords’ gender and ethnic biases. Landlords often demand hefty deposits from vulnerable tenants with temporary migration status and limited avenues for complaints. Despite Ontario’s Human Rights Code prohibiting such practices, they continue to occur on public websites.
A McGill University survey found that 38.6 percent of international students reported experiencing sexual harassment while 23.6 percent faced sexual assault. Female international students are especially susceptible to harassment and exploitation. Landlords contribute to the problem by over-monitoring students.
In Ontario, about 0.8 percent rental vacancy rate highlights the inadequate housing situation for the large community of Indian international students. Approximately 50,000 illegal units have been created to meet demand, leading to overcrowding, pest infestations, and substandard living conditions. There is an urgent need for improved safety standards such as fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Harassment and wrongful evictions by landlords in Canada have contributed to homelessness among post-secondary students. In 2018, a total of 31 percent of students reported such experiences. International students, in particular, have been forced to sleep in their cars due to unaffordable housing costs as well.
CTV W5’s investigation revealed that recruiting international students is part of a strategy to capitalize on their higher tuition fees compared to Canadian students. This alarming situation has led student activists to call for raising awareness that speaking out against human rights abuses, sexual assault, or other crimes.
