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2005-12
MORE REASONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO CHOOSE
CANADA
OTTAWA, April 18, 2005 — The
Honourable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and
Immigration, is pleased to build on the success of
Canada’s international study program by announcing new
initiatives to better attract, integrate and retain
international students in regions throughout the
country.
In partnership with provinces and territories,
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is expanding
two pilot initiatives to help make Canada a destination
of choice for international students. The first will
allow international students at public post-secondary
institutions to work off-campus while completing their
studies so that they can experience the Canadian labour
market and gain a wider understanding of Canadian
society. The second will allow students to work for two
years, rather than one year, after their graduation.
This second initiative will apply outside Montréal,
Toronto and Vancouver to help spread the benefits of
immigration to more of Canada’s regions.
Through past pilot projects and agreements with CIC,
some provinces have already experienced the success of
the initiatives, which are now being expanded throughout
Canada. The Government of Canada is investing
$10 million a year for five years to support this
announcement.
“We have been listening to our stakeholders and are
certain that these initiatives will help increase the
global competitiveness of Canada by attracting and
retaining more international students to our schools,”
said Minister Volpe. “International Students who choose
to stay in Canada after they graduate greatly contribute
to our labour market. It is important that they be
exposed to the Canadian work force at an early stage to
increase their chances of success following graduation.”
“Whether they choose to stay in Canada or return to
their home country, they will have acquired Canadian
experience and values that will enrich their lives. They
will also spread the word about the quality of education
Canada has to offer,” added the Minister.
CIC has also made other adjustments to its
international study program. For example:
- Post-secondary international students can now
transfer between programs of study and institutions
without applying for a change to the conditions of
their study permit.
- Secondary-level international students can now
obtain longer high-school study permits.
As of May 16, 2005, international students who meet
the eligibility criteria for a second year of
post-graduation employment will be issued a two-year
work permit. For these students, the two-year work
permit will only be valid for one year since they will
have already completed their first year of post-graduate
work.
As with existing pilot projects, the off-campus work
initiative will be implemented bilaterally in each
province and territory, following agreements with CIC.
For more information on today’s announcement or on
how to obtain a permit to study in Canada, please visit
CIC’s Web site at www.cic.gc.ca.
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For more information (media only):
Stephen Heckbert
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
(613) 954-1064
Maria Iadinardi
Media Relations
Communications Branch
(613) 952-0740
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