Canada’s new Work permit rules put 67,000 foreign Workers at risk of disqualification
Canada’s new Work permit rules put 67,000 foreign Workers at risk of disqualification
In November 2024, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will implement new regulations that limit eligibility for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) to students who have completed studies in specific fields.
These fields include agriculture and agri-food, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), skilled trades, and transportation.
The new rules will directly impact international graduates who studied outside of these designated areas.
The new regulations come in the wake of a report highlighting that a significant portion of international graduates may no longer qualify for a work permit. Of the 105,030 work permits issued in 2024, approximately 67,000 international graduates could be affected if they pursued studies outside the eligible fields.
The report, published by The Toronto Star, reveals that 64% of the work permits issued went to graduates from colleges, with 42% awarded to those who studied business, 37% to STEM graduates, and 16% to those in computing and IT. Only 1% of the permits went to graduates in skilled trades.
The updated policy will only affect students applying for a PGWP on or after the new regulations take effect. Those who have already been granted a study permit before November 2024 will still be eligible for work permits under the existing criteria. Additionally, graduates from university degree programs are exempt from the new restrictions and will continue to qualify for PGWPs for up to three years, without being restricted by field of study.
These changes underscore the growing importance for international students to choose fields of study that align with Canada’s evolving labour market needs. While the IRCC has not fully disclosed the criteria used to determine the list of eligible programs, it has indicated that these choices will be informed by Canada’s long-term labour shortages, similar to the criteria applied in Express Entry’s category-based selection system.
Despite the government’s rationale, the new policy has faced significant pushback from the education sector. Critics argue that the changes could limit opportunities for international students, particularly those in fields that are not currently prioritized in national labour assessments. Marketa Evans, President and CEO of Colleges Ontario, expressed concerns in an open letter to IRCC Minister Marc Miller on September 27, emphasizing the lack of provincial consultation and the use of national data to shape local needs. “We urge the federal government to work more closely with provinces to better align the policy with regional employment realities,” Evans wrote.
Similarly, Pari Johnston, President and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada, also criticized the move. “The alignment of programs with national needs overlooks the immediate demands of local labour markets and disregards the critical contributions of skilled international graduates,” Johnston stated, as reported by ICEF Monitor.
The controversy surrounding these new work permit requirements highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy, regional labour needs, and the experiences of international students in Canada.
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JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
JUST IN; Oyo Governor, Makinde names Olubadan as Chairman Oyo Council of Obas
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, declaring that the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, will be heading the council for a period of 2 years.
The declaration follows the passing of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs (Further Amendments) Bill, 2025, by the state House of Assembly, and the signing of the same into law by the governor.
Recall that the lawmakers had amended Clause 5 of Section 28 of the Chieftaincy Law to make the Council chairmanship rotational among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Soun of Ogbomoso, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland.
While inaugurating the Council, Governor Makinde said he had consulted with the trio of the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun, with the three of them reaching a consensus that the chairmanship should start with the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Ladoja.
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NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
NPF committed to community policing, says IGP Egbetokun
The Inspector General of Police (I-GP), Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that the police remained committed to community policing to ensure that criminals were drastically reduced in the country.
The I-GP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector of Police ( AIG) Zone 17, Dr Ajani Musibau, stated this at the Police Community Relations Committee ( PCRC) National Leadership Training and Conference on Thursday in Akure.
The theme of the conference is: “Inclusivity and Diversity: the New Leadership Paradigm.”
He said that security could not be achieved by only the police, but with the support from the community.
The I-GP stated that security was a joint work and responsibility of all, commending the current leadership of the Nigeria Police for a paradigm shift towards modern policing.
Also, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Mr Adebowale Lawal, said that bandits could not infiltrate the state due to community policing strategy embraced by the command.
He explained that bandits would have infiltrated the state through Kogi and Edo, but intelligence reports from members of PCRC had been a great help to the police command.
According to him, the support and logistics received from the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun and Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa had also motivated police personnel to work earnestly.
He said that effective community policing was a sure way to curb activities of criminals, and implored members of the public not to relent in their efforts to provide police and other security agencies with useful information.
Lawal also commended other conventional security agencies, forest guards and vigilantes for their support to the police in fighting bandits
In his remarks, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Ibrahim Mogaji said that the conference was to strengthen leaders of PCRC in the South-West zone and encourage them to redouble their efforts and support in fighting crimes.
According to Mogaji, the occasion also enabled the association to appreciate Gov. Aiyedatiwa, I-GP, the AIG Zone 17 and the state Commissioner of Police.
He advised the participants to moblise other members of PCRC and orientate them on their roles to continue to fight crime in the country.
The PCRC national chairman asked Nigerians to respect the dignity of police and to be civil when interacting with them.
Mogaji said that the leadership training would be replicated in other geo-political zones of the country.
Also, Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Security, Mr Gbenga Atiba, commended the PCRC , AIG Zone 17, and the Commissioner of Police for their unrelenting efforts to guarantee peace across the state.
Aiyedatiwa promised that the state government would give PCRC attention and continue to support police and other security agencies with appropriate logistics that would make policing more effective.
A guest lecturer, Comrade Yinka Folarin asked members of the public to give respect and dignity to members of the police, saying that they also had rights that must be respected.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PCRC honoured Gov. Aiyedatiwa, AIG Zone 17 and the Commissioner of Police with awards. (NAN)
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Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
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