Toronto
International students in Canada, who have off-campus work authorisation on their study permit, say that the country should permanently lift the 20-hour-per-week work rule. The Canadian government had announced temporary lifting of the cap from November 15, 2022 to December 31, 2023 as employers were facing unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining workers they needed for economic recovery post Covid. According to students, many of whom are from India, working more hours gives them stability amidst rising costs in the country. Krunal Chavda, a 20-year-old Indian student at the University of Saskatchewan, said he has around $40,000 in student loans and was able to pay off $10,000 with full-time work. The past year has been quite good in terms of finances because I could work 40 hours a week and have been able to pay off my tuition fees, Chavda told the Canadian news outlet. With the previous rule coming back, Chavda is worried about his finances as his grocery budget has gone up from $100 to as much as $300 a month due to inflation. Most post-secondary international students are allowed to work on and/or off campus, with their authorisation to work printed directly on their study permit. In the past, nearly half of the post-secondary international students in Canada reported earning income during their studies. I’ve found myself in situations where I was like, ‘OK, should I buy this or not?’ It basically comes down to necessities and not the wants, he said. There is a lot of uncertainty and anxiousness in the air. We’re on the edge… It’s becoming more and more difficult to sustain, said Meghal, Chavda’s classmate. Domenici Medina, an international student at the university from Ecuador, told CBC that the extra money earned helps with medical appointments like a dentist, which is not covered by the university’s insurance.
