Earlier this month, the federal government of Canada has declared a temporary policy deeming post-graduate work permits (PGWPs) renewable for the first time in Canadian history.
The decision will offer international students with expired or expiring PGWPs the ability to apply for new 18-month work permits, potentially stopping the mass deportations of thousands and allow international individuals more time to fulfill their work experience and education requirements.
Migrant Students United (MSU) has been advocating for this policy change since March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March, MSU organized a series of online information sessions for migrant students, where over 2,300 migrant student workers communicated their concerns regarding the treatment and support of international students. Following this, MSU launched a petition to the Canadian government in April 2020, addressing how COVID-19 restrictions have made it more difficult for foreign residents to secure work placement and fulfill their mandatory requirements in the hopes of obtaining Canadian citizenship.
Over 12,000 individuals signed on in support of the petition.
“It’s a win for international students, it’s a win for the student movement”, says Taranjeet Singh Manchanda, director of communications and internal at the Student Association of George Brown College. Manchanda played a crucial role in lobbying for the improved treatment of migrant student workers alongside MSU throughout the process.
“We need and we deserve better treatment.”
Manchanda was given the opportunity to speak on behalf of international students in front of the office of Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in Toronto on September 12, 2020, advocating on behalf of international students.
“International students feared the new current immigration rules and mass deportations since a lot of permits are expiring, a lot of students are graduating with no jobs at hand. So the fear in the minds of international students brought this up,” says Manchanda.
“We talked about how [international students] contribute so much to the economy and also how student leaders are emerging from international students. From colleges and universities also treating international students as cash machines and how they should provide more support to international students.”
There have been several MSU-led rallies since September 12, including one held on November 24, when MSU delivered 16,000 petitions to Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino’s office in Toronto, addressing the urgent need to end mass deportations. Students and supporting allies also congregated via social media to demonstrate their concern.
Mendicino committed to taking action on December 1, 2020, announcing the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act. The MSU, however, decided to take matters to the federal cabinet at the time, posting posters to the offices of MP Carolyn Bennett, MP Navdeep Bains, and MP Maryam Monsef.
While the policy is not set to roll out until January 27, students may subscribe to MSU email list to stay updated on future announcements regarding the federal policy.
“No one should be discriminated on the basis of status of immigration,” says Manchanda.
