Indian students in Canada, who form the largest group of international students, are expected to face significant financial challenges due to a new federal rule limiting them to 24 hours of off-campus work per week. The new rule comes into force this week and is a major change from the pandemic times when Canada lifted the cap on work hours of international students to ease a labour shortage.

The cap is being brought back but with a four-hour increase from the previous limit of 20 hours per week. The pandemic-time work-hour waiver expired on April 30.

Though there is a four-hour extension per week, international students, who have been working without any work limits since the pandemic, find the cap prohibitive.

There are no restrictions on work hours during school breaks, such as summer or winter breaks, in Canada for international students.

In 2022, 2.26 lakh of 5.5 lakh international students in Canada were from India, with 3.2 lakh Indians staying in Canada on student visas and contributing to the economy as gig workers.

Off-campus jobs help Indian students with paying for their groceries and accommodation.

With most standard work shifts being 8 hours long, the new rule means students can only work up to three part-time shifts per week, making it difficult for them to cover their expenses.

Indian students help the Canadian government maintain the minimum wage, which is now set at 17.36 Canadian dollars per hour, effective from May. Before this increase, the minimum wage in 2023 was $16.65 per hour.

However, the 24-hour limit is expected to make it challenging for them to afford living costs in high-expense cities like Toronto.

STUDENTS’ CONCERNS AND ADJUSTMENTS

Neeva Phatarphekar, an international student in Toronto, expressed concerns about managing her rent, groceries, and travel under the new rule.

“That’s going to be hard with the rent in Toronto and the groceries and eating out with friends and travelling. I have to think about all of that,” she told CBC News.

Phatarphekar has already cut down on expenses and moved in with friends to save on rent. She was studying for a public relations certificate at York University but will now be studying brand management at Seneca College.

Deepa Mattoo, executive director and lawyer at the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, emphasised that international students work out of necessity.

“Not every student can afford to go to school without that extra income. In any structure, you have to have an equity framework,” Mattoo told CBC News.

However, Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University in Montreal, questioned whether 24 hours is sufficient, given the time needed for studying.