International students are furious with British Columbia’s NDP government after it changed the requirements for permanent residency status.
In a significant display of dissent, international students and their supporters converged on downtown Vancouver to voice their opposition against the recent amendments to the B.C. Provincial Nominee Program, an immigration path for skilled workers.
The gathering, which took place at the Vancouver Art Gallery, saw a robust turnout. The protest was preceded by the “Promise Made, Promise Kept: Secure Future Paths for BC PNP International Students” petition, which has been circulating among the international student community.
The crux of the protest lies in what protesters call an abrupt policy change that now requires master’s graduates to obtain a one-year skilled job offer and fulfill specific language requirements to be eligible for permanent residency—a stark departure from the previously lax direct application process.
This sudden shift has sparked outrage among the student community, who argue it derails their established plans to become Canadians, negating their substantial financial investments. Changes to the program also align with the international student cap, recently introduced by Ottawa.
The petition, which has garnered over two thousand signatures and is swiftly approaching its 2,500 target, claims that the government has betrayed international students.
In response to the outcry, provincial authorities have defended the revisions as steps towards creating “clearer pathways for international workers,” aiming to thwart exploitative recruitment practices.
The updated program now features three pathways for university and college graduates, heightened language prerequisites, and a continued focus on prioritizing individuals employed in sectors in need of workers.
Despite these justifications, many rally participants stand firm in their belief that the changes were implemented too hastily and without due consideration for those currently enrolled in master’s programs.
