India Canada Relation: Unexpectedly, the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI), which is well-known for its picturesque scenery and tranquil way of life, announced a significant relaxation in immigration rules that will mostly impact the Indian student population.
Protests and Unease Among Indian Students
This announcement has led to protests and general unease. Due to this ruling, hundreds of Indian students may now be deported, raising questions about the province’s immigration regulations and their impact on international ties.
The policy change, which includes a 25% reduction in immigration permits, was brought about by the strain on Prince Edward Island’s housing and healthcare systems. Immigration to the province has significantly increased, especially among Indian students. This influx has tested the province’s ability to provide adequate healthcare support to its current citizens.
Opposition and Uncertainty Among Students
The policy change has been met with strong opposition from the affected student body since it was just publicized. Because of the sudden changes, many students are unsure of their future in Canada. Since the majority of these students are engaged in courses that do not meet the criteria for “essential services,” they are currently ineligible for the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) under the existing standards.
Given that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has stated that it was not aware of the impending changes, there is a diplomatic rush to handle the situation. Prince Edward Island (PEI) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories that make up Canada. Prince Edward Island is the smallest province in Canada in terms of both population and land area, but it has the highest population density. The island’s educational system attracts a large number of international students, most of them are from India.
Strain on Housing and Healthcare Systems
Among the 16 Indian immigrants that came in PEI in 2014–15, there were 16 students. In 2018–19, there were 401 Indian immigrants in PEI. At the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), more than 2,000 international students from more than 90 countries enroll each year, accounting for around 35% of the overall student body.
The number of Indian students (assuming they still make up 42% of the international student body) would be approximately 840 based on the data from UPEI, which shows that 35% of students are international. This is assuming that there are 5,714 total students (2,000 of whom make up 35% of the international student population).