Indian students in Prince Edward Island are gearing up to resume their protests against recent immigration policy changes that threaten their residency status. The students, who had previously conducted a hunger strike from May 24, are planning a significant demonstration on June 19 to highlight the impact of these policies.
Rupinder Pal Singh, the protest leader, announced in a podcast that they are organising a “big blackout” and urged all communities and residents to join them. “It’s a nice day and we want to send the right message in the right way,” Singh said, emphasising the importance of the upcoming Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw on June 20.
The PNP is designed for workers with the necessary skills and experience to contribute to the economy of a specific Canadian province or territory and aims at those seeking permanent residency.
The Indian student community has been actively protesting in Charlottetown since May 9. The hunger strike they initiated on May 24 raised concerns about their health, with some participants fainting due to deteriorating conditions.
The crux of their grievance lies in the policy changes that have made it increasingly difficult for individuals, particularly those in sales and service roles, to secure permanent residency nominations from the province. This is despite many of them being employed on the Island and having graduated from Canadian higher education institutions.
With open work permits for three years, these international students chose Prince Edward Island for its previously straightforward pathway to permanent residency—a critical step towards achieving Canadian citizenship.
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