International students studying at career colleges or vocational schools in Alberta are expressing frustration as their post-graduation work permits (PGWPs) are being denied due to their programs being classified as non-credit courses. Graduates from Portage College have been staging protests outside affiliated campuses in Calgary and Edmonton, with some resorting to a hunger strike to raise awareness.
During a recent news conference, Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney were questioned about the protests. Carney, unaware of the situation, emphasized the importance of following proper procedures for international students whose permits have expired. Smith remarked that while Portage College may have exaggerated the pathway to permanent residency, international students without authorization must return home if their visas expire.
One student, Lovepreet Singh, shared his experience attending Campbell College in Edmonton through a partnership with Portage College. He completed non-credit teacher’s assistant courses and applied for a PGWP in March, only to have his application rejected in June for not meeting federal permit program criteria. Singh claimed he sought assurance from Campbell College before applying, believing he met the eligibility requirements.
Portage College spokesperson, Jaime Davies, acknowledged the permit denials and stated that IRCC is solely responsible for assessing and deciding on PGWP applications. Singh noted that despite some students’ permits being approved, his application was denied after IRCC updated its website to specify that non-credit courses were ineligible for the PGWP.
Singh mentioned traveling to Portage College twice with classmates to seek clarification from administration, but no resolution has been reached yet. The college has announced the discontinuation of partnerships with Campbell College and the Canadian Institute of Osteopathic Therapy in Calgary, stating that these decisions were pre-planned and unrelated to recent PGWP rejections.
International graduates facing denied applications have 90 days to apply for another visa or leave Canada. Singh has initiated a judicial review process, anticipating a lengthy wait of up to six months. Despite spending years in Canada, students like Singh feel disheartened by the denial of their PGWPs based on the perceived invalidity of their studies, labeling the situation as perplexing.