New Work Limit Affects International Students in Canada

Starting this month, new federal regulations in Canada limit international students to working 24 hours per week, a reduction that has sparked concern among many. These changes come after the temporary suspension of work hour caps during the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed to address labor shortages, expired on April 30th. Immigration Minister Mark Miller asserts that this new rule is intended to help students focus more on their studies. However, international students like Alejandro Arbe express that this change imposes significant financial hardship, as many depend on full-time salaries to meet their living expenses and tuition costs, which can be exorbitantly high. Alejandro, a social media manager who has now shifted to part-time work at a restaurant, details how this limitation drastically hampers his living standard, leaving him with barely enough to cover basic expenses. While the government asserts that limiting work hours is beneficial for academic focus, students argue that it creates undue stress and financial instability, driving them toward food banks and creating additional struggles in their pursuit of education. Alejandro's plea to the government is for more empathy and support towards international students to ensure they can thrive in their educational endeavors, while also balancing their financial realities.