International students could now work off-campus
Quebec joins Nova Scotia in agreement with Ottawa
In a bid to make its post-secondary degrees more competitive in the international and Canadian markets, the Quebec government announced Nov. 22 that international students at 96 of its schools will be permitted to work off campus.
Countries such as the United States and France, which are both Quebec’s largest markets and their greatest competitors, already allow foreign students to work while studying, Quebec Minister of Immigration and Cultural Communities (ICC) Lise Thériault said.
“When universities and colleges are recruiting, it has become very important that they be able to offer the students the opportunity to work off campus.
“When students come here, they want to be able to work. It’s also a great way for them to become acquainted with the Quebec market and community.”
The deal is the result of an agreement with the federal government, which will be responsible for issuing the off campus work permits. These will allow foreign students to work up to 20 hours per week during school, or full time over Christmas and summer.
Previously, international students in Canada could only work on campus. Nova Scotia has also signed the agreement with Ottawa, and other provinces are expected to follow suit.
“When students come here, they want to be able to work.”
To receive this visa, students must first complete six months of full-time studies and be in good academic standing. Exchange students or those who have received bursaries from CIDA, the Canadian International Development Agency. or the federal government are not eligible.
Isabelle Lacelle, Coordinator of Concordia’s International Students Office, said the program is a fantastic way for students to gain experience and share their culture with Quebecers, but added a caveat.
“It must be stressed that work income cannot be the sole financial resource for students. They still need to show financial ability when applying for both Canadian and Quebec immigration documents.”
For Concordia students to participate, the university must sign a memo of understanding with the ministry of ICC. Lacelle said this first has to be approved by President Lajeunesse and then by other university bodies.
Some 22,000 international students now study in Quebec, 17,000 of those in Montreal alone.
At Concordia, there are 4,400 international students. Lacelle said she expects that 3,000 of those will be eligible for the new permits when they become available later this winter.