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EDUCATION
NEWS - PAGE I
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:
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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.
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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.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
http://www.cic.gc.ca
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