Fate of Indian students in Canada hangs in balance as outgoing PM Justin Trudeau prepares to leave office

Immigration experts are debating the future of international students in Canada following Justin Trudeau’s resignation as prime minister.

Trudeau’s tenure from 2015 to 2023 is seen by many as a golden age for foreign students, especially Indians, who greatly benefited from the country’s lenient immigration laws.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) estimates that between 2015 and 2024, nearly 1.3 million Indian students were granted study permits.

In 2015, just 31,920 Indian students, or 14.5% of all overseas students, held study permits. By 2023, this figure had grown to 278,250, accounting for 40.7% of all overseas students.

However, the number of Indian students receiving study permits in 2024 has dropped by 4% due to new policies introduced by the Canadian government, such as capping the number of foreign students and tightening application procedures.

Trudeau’s management of the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program has drawn criticism from Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who at the age of 20 already had a plan for Canada, stating that “the government has destroyed the TFW program.”

Poilievre intends to maintain the agricultural program but prevent temporary foreign workers from replacing Canadians in their jobs.

"Trudeau's last-minute pre-election reversal cannot be believed," he said, criticizing Trudeau’s intention to reduce immigration levels.

"He can’t fix the immigration system that he broke," Poilievre added.

Poilievre is expected to play a major role in the next election, and his immigration pledges are likely to be a significant issue.

He has committed to reinstating Canada’s former immigration system and ensuring it operates more effectively moving forward.

If Poilievre takes office, international students may face increased challenges in obtaining housing, employment, and healthcare, making it harder to secure study permits.

Indian immigrants and students could be significantly impacted by potential changes to Canada's immigration laws under Poilievre's leadership.

Poilievre's proposal to link immigration rates to housing, healthcare, and employment opportunities might make it harder for Indians to obtain study visas or permanent residence.

Additionally, changes to labor program qualifying requirements could reduce the chances of securing permanent residence.

Indian students may also face increased competition for spots at Canadian institutions and universities due to the government’s proposal to limit the number of international students.

Moreover, tighter eligibility criteria and longer processing times for study permits could complicate their educational plans in Canada.

Poilievre’s suggestion to “block temporary foreign workers where they are taking jobs from Canadians” could also impact Indian immigrants currently employed in Canada.

As a result, Indian immigrants may face fewer job opportunities, making it harder to support their families.

Overall, Indian immigrants and students attempting to establish themselves in Canada may face significant challenges if the country’s immigration laws are revised under Poilievre’s leadership.

However, according to Tirath Singh, an immigration consultant at Pinnacle Immigration in Jalandhar, Punjab, these changes might not be entirely negative.

“The recent changes aim to attract serious students who come to study and work in fields that Canada needs. For those with genuine intentions, these policies offer stability and long-term opportunities,” Singh said.

He also added that Canada would continue to rely on migrants to sustain its economy.

Amid waning support within his party and declining poll numbers, Trudeau announced on Jan 6 that he would resign as party leader and PM.

This decision follows internal party conflicts, criticism of his policies, and the growing lead of the opposition Conservative Party.

Trudeau said that he no longer felt he was the best choice to lead Canada but confirmed he would remain as PM until the Liberal Party selects a new leader.