Backlash Over Indian Students in Canada: PEI Changes Policy

Key Points

1. Prince Edward Island (PEI) has implemented a 25% reduction in immigration permits due to concerns about housing, healthcare, and job availability, sparking controversy among Indian students in Canada.

2. PEI's Premier aims to prioritize sectors like childcare, healthcare, and construction over service sectors, reflecting a strategic shift.

3. Local residents express frustration over limited job opportunities and housing issues, directing some of their grievances towards international students on student visas who they feel are misusing the system to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

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Prince Edward Island (PEI), a province in Canada, has been grappling with the high volume of Indian students in Canada, leading to changes in its rules. These changes have had a direct impact on the Indian students in Canada news, highlighting the challenges faced by the province.

PEI introduced a 25% cut in immigration permits, leading to outrage amongst many, as per recent Indian students in Canada news. The policy change stemmed from issues the province faced in terms of housing, healthcare, jobs, and either aspects directly impacted by immigration. Many locals of PEI believe that their opportunities are stifled due to the Indian students in Canada.

The Premier of PEI has announced a strategic shift in focus, aiming to reduce the number of international migrants seeking residency through the Provincial Nominee Program. This new direction will prioritize sectors such as childcare, healthcare, and construction over the service sectors, food, and retail. The rationale behind this shift is to address the province's pressing needs and ensure balanced growth.

In a recent episode of “Ratio’d” with Harrison Faulkner, a Canadian journalist and show host, many residents of PEI shared the real reasons why the recent developments of international students in Canada news have impacted them. Many locals have directed their anguish towards the youngsters on student visas. Many immigrants misuse the student visa as a shorter route towards permanent residency and citizenship in the North American country.

"One of the things that people don't realise is, we are not against these people. PEI is full. We are tapped out. I'm not saying never bring migrants back to Canada.” a local expressed to Faulkner.

According to a report on Karlsack, the number of Indian students in Canada (international students in general) has seen a steep growth since 2006, especially in Prince Edward Island.

PEI offered 1,070 PNP slots in 2018, which doubled to 2,050 slots in 2023 — so this new 25% reduction to 1,600 in 2024 is still 75% higher than it was in 2018 - Karlsack

The data-backed insight has also been backed by public opinion.

The man interviewed by Faulkner also added, "We need to fix the problems here. All the jobs in the Islands are going to people who are not from here. If you do not have a family business, your kids will be high schoolers looking for jobs.” 

The international students, usually staying in PBSA Canada, believe that they should be allowed to extend their work permits. Locals in PEI believe otherwise.

"If we went to their country, we would not get a job. I have three daughters and two of them can't get a job. Because there are no jobs. We can't get jobs. They are all full," a woman told Faulkner.

Though English fluency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL are essential requirements for studying abroad in Canada, many have found ways to game the system. The local talking to Faulkner added that she finds it difficult to communicate with people from other ethnicities since they aren’t fluent in English.

The resentment against immigrants, as can be seen in the Indian students in Canada news, has emerged within the backdrop of the housing crisis Canada has been plagued with since early 2023. The rental vacancy rates in PEI have only increased by 0.2%, going from 0.8% to 1%.

“The rules were flexible, it was easy for them to stay back," another interviewee told Faulkner.

The increased number of international students in Canada and immigrants has also affected the healthcare industry. In 2023, PEI faced the longest wait times to avail medical care.

It took an average of 41.7 weeks to see a specialist after a general practitioner appointment in PEI.

Many also chimed in that Indian students in Canada, as well as other immigrants, are key to the workforce in Canada, picking up jobs in the food industry, retail, and sales. On the other hand, locals believe these jobs should be reserved for locals.

TL;DR

Recent Indian students in Canada news reveals Prince Edward Island's struggle with a surge in international students, prompting a 25% cut in immigration permits. Locals cite housing and job scarcity issues, while the province shifts focus to prioritize sectors like healthcare amidst controversy over student visa misuse and tensions between locals and newcomers in Canada international student news.