Most Immigrants Support Tougher Rules for International Student Program: Poll

A recent poll conducted by Leger for OMNI has revealed significant support among immigrants for stricter international student regulations in Canada. The survey found that 67% of immigrants, particularly those who have resided in the country for over six years, endorse these changes. Notably, support spikes to 77% among South Asian immigrants, highlighting a unique demographic perspective on the issue.

However, the tightening of policies has left some current international students feeling anxious about their future in Canada. Yuehan An, a Chinese national pursuing a business degree in Toronto, expressed concern over the revised eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, which now imposes stricter limitations on college students. “Doing a Master’s Degree is like mandatory for me,” An stated, underscoring the pressure students feel to enhance their competitiveness in an increasingly challenging environment.

The impact of these policy changes extends beyond undergraduates, affecting graduate students as well. Sherry Kashi, originally from Iran and now a PhD candidate at York University, notes the increasing uncertainty international students face regarding their ability to remain in Canada. “They are waking up every day just checking the news first. They know it’s going to be harder, but still they are not certain how hard it’s going to be,” Kashi shared.

International students have become central to an ongoing debate about immigration’s economic implications—an issue that is likely to be pivotal in the upcoming federal elections. According to the OMNI-Leger poll, 80% of immigrants believe that immigration will be a critical topic during the elections. Furthermore, over half of the respondents indicated that their voting decisions will be influenced by the immigration policies proposed in the election.

Responding to the poll findings, Immigration Minister Marc Miller expressed satisfaction with the support for recent measures but emphasized the need for effectiveness. “We don’t do everything by poll; it’s nice to know that the measure is popular. I think it’s even more important to know that these measures actually work,” he stated. Miller pointed out that the government has implemented stricter guidelines since January to manage the influx of temporary residents, which he described as having “exploded” in recent years.

Despite the broad support for these measures, some critics argue that Ottawa is unfairly targeting international students. Yvonne Su, director of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, acknowledges the need to limit the number of international students but critiques the “turbulent” implementation of the new policies. She highlights a lack of consultation with essential stakeholders, which has led to confusion and discontent among students.

Michael McDonald of Colleges and Institutes Canada shares similar concerns, arguing that the absence of collaboration with educational institutions and provincial governments is troubling. He warns that the changes to the International Student Program may exacerbate existing challenges within Canada’s public education system and deepen the funding crisis.

Interestingly, the survey indicates that one in four immigrants, particularly younger individuals and those identifying as BIPOC, feel that the new regulations are adequate to prevent abuses within the International Student Program. However, Su emphasizes the racial implications of the current discourse, calling for a more nuanced conversation about the realities faced by international students. “When we talk about international students, we are not talking about the ones from Britain, from Germany, from Australia, which are also here,” she explained.

The OMNI-Leger online poll was conducted from August 28 to September 9, surveying a random sample of 1,500 respondents not born in Canada. The results come with a margin of error of 2.5%, 19 times out of 20, reflecting a growing concern over the future of international students in Canada as policies continue to evolve.

As the conversation surrounding immigration intensifies, it’s clear that both policymakers and the community at large must navigate the delicate balance between managing immigration effectively and supporting those who contribute to the nation’s diversity and economic vitality.