International students attending career colleges or vocational schools in Alberta are expressing frustration over the denial of their post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) due to their programs being labeled as non-credit. Graduates from Portage College have been staging protests outside affiliated campuses in Calgary and Edmonton, with some resorting to a hunger strike to raise awareness.
During a recent news conference, Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney were questioned about the ongoing protests. While Carney was unaware of the situation, he emphasized the importance of following proper procedures for individuals without authorization to remain in the country. Smith suggested that Portage College might have exaggerated the path to permanent residency for international students, asserting that those without residency status should return to their home countries.
One student, Lovepreet Singh, revealed that he completed teacher’s assistant courses through the non-credit program at Edmonton’s Campbell College before applying for a PGWP in March. Despite checking with the college beforehand to confirm his eligibility, Singh’s application was rejected in June on the grounds that his courses did not meet federal permit program requirements.
Portage College stated that while they are aware of the permit denials affecting some international graduates, the final decisions are made solely by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Singh, along with his classmates, has sought clarification from the college and IRCC regarding the rules surrounding the PGWP but has yet to receive a satisfactory resolution.
IRCC clarified that the eligibility criteria for the PGWP program have not changed, reiterating that completion of a credit-earning program from a designated learning institution remains a requirement. Despite the students’ efforts to address the issue, including filing for a judicial review, they face the possibility of having to apply for alternative visas or leave the country within 90 days of notification.
Portage College has announced the discontinuation of partnerships with Campbell College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary, emphasizing that these decisions were pre-planned and unrelated to the recent PGWP rejections. Students like Singh, who have invested significant time and effort into their studies, find themselves in a challenging situation, unsure of their future prospects due to the unexpected permit denials.