In Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI), hundreds of Indian students have rallied on the streets, urging authorities to permit them to stay in the country. The students claim that despite completing their studies, they are being refused work permits, placing them at risk of deportation. They have issued an ultimatum, threatening a potential hunger strike if their requests are not addressed.

Protesting students, residing in Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI) for over a year, have expressed frustration over what they see as a sudden and unfair change in government policy.

Protest leader Rupender Singh, who arrived from India in 2019, accused the province of misleading them and labelled the situation as blatant exploitation in an interview with CBC News.

Video footage captured the students marching through the streets of Charlottetown, chanting slogans and protesting against the abrupt policy changes. One protester highlighted the ripple effect of these alterations, emphasising how both immigrants and locals would be impacted.

 They suggested that without international graduates, who often work part-time in various places, locals might experience delays in services such as coffee at Tim Hortons.

The current wave of protests among international students in Canada's Prince Edward Island (PEI) stems from a law enacted last July. This legislation restricts postgraduate work permits to students with specific qualifications, particularly in the construction/home-building and healthcare sectors. As a result, many international students find themselves unable to continue working in Canada, leading to widespread discontent.

Similar restrictions were previously enforced in Manitoba. However, following protests, the Trudeau government extended postgraduate work permits by two years. Now, students in PEI are hoping for similar leniency. They are calling for an extension of work permits and a review of the recent changes to immigration policies.

The protesting students are pushing for 'grandfathered' status, which would exempt them from new regulations based on their prior circumstances. This designation aims to offer stability and fairness, preventing these students from being unfairly impacted by future changes in the law.

With a mid-May deadline looming, the students are ready to escalate their actions. The protests are gaining momentum and garnering support from various sectors of the community, including employers and minority groups.

Image source: Business Today