Hundreds gathered in Vancouver to protest B.C.’s immigration policy change

Hundreds gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery Saturday morning to protest the province’s updates to its permanent residency (PR) process.

The province announced Tuesday that the Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) is getting an update — criteria about level of education, experience, and language skills are getting stricter for foreigners.

A masked man at the event took to the mic and said the provincial government is “betraying” the international student community.

“Some people may think they are local residents, some may think they’re graduating before that. But I will say, (if) such an important policy can be changed twice in three days (it means) every policy they’ve published is unstable, insecure, and cannot be trusted,” he said.

“If you keep silent today, then if the same thing happens to you, there will be no one fighting for (you).”

Another woman at the event spoke about the distress the policy change has had on the community. She said last year the policy promised master’s graduates permanent residency based on their degrees and that’s why she based her university choice and life on this policy.

“We trusted the consistency of policy, so we quit our jobs outside B.C., we declined offers from universities and companies outside B.C… we moved from Ontario, we moved from Quebec… to settle down in B.C.,” she said.

“Our kids just got used to their new schools, we said goodbye to our friends and families, but what did we get for all the trust and belief in B.C.?”

The policy for international master students changed abruptly, and additional requirements were added, and she is no longer eligible for the PNP.

“That was not what they said when we arrived… If we could foresee the updates on Tuesday one or two years ago, we could’ve had a choice to not come to B.C.,” she said.

“How could a so-called long-term policy change in one day?”

The protest was coupled with a pre-existing petition that called B.C.’s update a “seismic shift that could adversely affect both present and prospective international post-graduates in British Columbia.”

The petition says that the policy change creates “uncertainty and stress” for international students.

“It diminishes the province’s appeal to talented international students and potentially influences the academic and professional diversity and vibrancy that these students bring to British Columbia,” the petition read.

“We also highlight a growing mistrust towards the British Columbia government among the international community… also question the reliability and predictability of governmental decisions.”

The petition says that individuals are left without a sense of security about living in B.C., and this decision could make the province less appealing to them.

“Over the long term, this could result in British Columbia losing its appeal to international talent, leading to a drain of skilled individuals,” it said.

The petition urges the province to introduce a transition period or a “grandfather clause” for students currently enrolled or enrolled before December 2024 — making PR more accessible, reassess and revoke the mandate for a one-year skilled job offer for applicants post-December 2024, and perform consultations with student organizations before enacting such changes to policies impacting immigration of international students.

“We stand united in our call for justice for international postgraduates in British Columbia,” it said.