Return of the native

As Canada makes life difficult for immigrants, Punjab witnesses a reversal in brain drain and a possible change in political equations

- PRATUL SHARMA

Punjab’s Canada dream has turned sour, at least for the moment. The recent change in visa and work permit policies and the spiralling tensions with India have caused a dent in Canada’s reputation as a preferred destination for students and immigrants.

The common refrain is to wait and watch. But even those who had gone to Canada earlier hoping to get permanent residence (PR) status are facing a bleak future with insufficient jobs, abnormally high rents and rising inflation. There are over 1.3 lakh students whose postgraduate work permit (PGWP) will expire by December and may have to return. By next year, the number will jump to over 2.5 lakh.

“I have called my architect daughter back as there are no jobs or even an early resolution of her PR application. The rent was as high as ₹1.5 lakh per month. I asked her not to go back till some solution is in the offing. Even the law and order situation is deteriorating,” said Poornima Kapoor, who is into travel services in Delhi. “I am advising parents against sending their children [to Canada] for higher studies.”

Canada’s policies impact international students from all countries, but Indians constitute the largest group, of which students from Punjab form the biggest chunk. As Canada tightens its immigration policies, protests have erupted across the country, with one in Brampton, near Toronto, going on for two months. Bikram Singh Kullewal, who went to study in Canada in 2019, is now part of the Naujawan Support Network, which is organising protests in Brampton.