Indian students arriving in Canada have been facing several issues, with a lack of housing, low wages, and an absence of part-time job opportunities causing profound distress. Many have resorted to extreme measures, living in basements, relying on food banks, and constantly struggling to keep a roof over their heads. 

The Plight of International Students in Canada 

Indian students represent a whopping 40% of the total international student population in Canada, translating to approximately 240,000 individuals. However, the surge in student influx, primarily after the COVID-19 pandemic, has further aggravated the existing issues of housing and employment. Skyrocketing rents, crowded public transport, and low wages are some stark realities faced by these students. 

"Canada has not been able to handle the influx of international students, as it doesn’t have the infrastructure in terms of housing or enough jobs to support the number of people that have joined its colleges and universities." - Manan Gupta, Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC-IRB) from Skylake Immigration, Brampton, Ontario.

Shortage of Work and Housing 

Many students, hoping to sustain themselves independently, find the lack of part-time job opportunities disheartening. Those who do manage to acquire employment are often replaced by workers ready to work for even lower wages. The current work policy restricts international students to just 20 hours of work per week. Gagan Singh, 19, a student from Ludhiana, Punjab, summed up the hardships faced in his journey. From shifting accommodations frequently to losing his job due to undercutting, life has been an uphill battle for Gagan since he arrived in Canada. 

"And, suddenly, there are just no jobs available.", Gagan added, "I thought I would shell out for rent on my own and would not have to ask my parents for the same, but I am just not getting one. It’s a struggle running around from one point to another."

The issue of accommodation is persistent and rampant. Post-pandemic, the influx of international students has highlighted the paucity of student housing, and this, coupled with high rents, has left many in a bind. A significant number of Indian students enrolling in Canadore College and Nipissing University in North Bay town lacked accommodation altogether. 

"Most students here just want to achieve a better life in Canada. They are from middle to low-income groups in India and are forced to rely on food banks to make ends meet. Unfortunately, many of these students fall into depression as their pleas fall on deaf ears." Manjinder, a work permit holder in Canada, highlighted.

Flawed Educational System and Unscrupulous Agents 

Being unaware or ignorant about the ground realities, parents back home often pressurize their children into studying in Canada. The fork-tongued agents in India paint a compelling yet distorted picture of life there, pushing innocent students toward doom. 

Moreover, a large part of the problem lies with the unchecked permitting of educational institutions in Canada. Many colleges and universities are expanding their intake without offering corresponding accommodation facilities. Added to this, the Canadian government sanctions study visas for students without ensuring sufficient infrastructure to support them. 

Protests and Demands 

Various student associations like the Montreal Youth Students Organisation (Myso) have come forward to help these students. They have demanded that the colleges provide promised accommodations or offer online classes, truthfully stating that the current situation does not permit regular attendance. Several Indian bakery workers in Mississauga have also joined the chorus of protests, demanding unpaid wages from the owner who declared bankruptcy. 

It remains to be seen how the Canadian government and the respective educational institutions handle the ongoing crisis and meet the expectations of these international students who came to Canada with dreams of a better life.

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