The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Canada

  • We are prepared for influx of asylum-seekers escaping Trump – Canadian Police

    We are prepared for influx of asylum-seekers escaping Trump – Canadian Police

    Canadian police and migrant aid organisations are preparing for a potential influx of asylum-seekers fleeing to Canada as President-elect Donald Trump returns to power in the United States.

    This development comes as Canada grapples with record refugee claim numbers and an aim to reduce immigration.

    Trump, the former and now future U.S. president, won this week’s election with a platform that includes enacting the largest deportation effort in American history, raising concerns among Canadian authorities about a new wave of border crossings.

    The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been preparing for months, said RCMP Sergeant Charles Poirier on Thursday.

    “We knew a few months ago that we had to start prepping a contingency plan because if he comes into power, which now he will in a few months, it could drive illegal migration and irregular migration into (the province of) Quebec and into Canada,” Poirier told Reuters.

    “Worst-case scenario would be people crossing in large numbers everywhere on the territory.

    “Let’s say we had 100 people per day entering across the border, then it’s going to be hard because our officers will basically have to cover huge distances in order to arrest everyone,” he said.

    During Trump’s first term in 2017, thousands of asylum-seekers crossed the Canadian border outside formal checkpoints to file refugee claims, most often at Roxham Road near the Quebec-New York border.

    However, Roxham Road is no longer an option for would-be asylum-seekers, following a bilateral agreement between Canada and the U.S. This pact, which now applies to the entire 4,000-mile border, mandates that asylum-seekers trying to cross outside formal checkpoints be turned back unless they qualify for a narrow exemption.

    Now, those who attempt to cross into Canada undetected must evade authorities and hide for two weeks before they can safely seek asylum – a high-risk approach, say immigrant advocates.

    Read Also: Canada orders shutdown of TikTok business operation

    “When you don’t create legitimate pathways, or when you only create pathways where people have to do the impossible to receive safety, you know, unfortunately, people are going to try to do the impossible,” said Abdulla Daoud, director of The Refugee Centre in Montreal, which provides support services for migrants.

    As these pressures mount, Canadian police are on “high alert,” prepared to mobilize additional resources if the need arises, Poirier added. This could mean deploying hundreds of extra officers, increasing patrols with additional cruisers, chartering buses, and even setting up temporary facilities near the border.

    “All eyes are on the border right now. … We were on high alert, I can tell you, a few days before the election, and we’ll probably remain on alert for the next coming weeks,” Poirier said, underlining the tense anticipation among Canadian Police amid Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown threat.

  • Bimpe Akintunde lands in Canada, reflects on struggles, challenges

    Bimpe Akintunde lands in Canada, reflects on struggles, challenges

    Actress Bimpe Akintunde has shared her emotional state after arriving in Canada to support colleague, Starboy Temidayo.

    Overcome with gratitude, Bimpe revealed she cried on her flight, reflecting on her journey, struggles and God’s faithfulness.

    She said despite traveling abroad since 2015, this trip felt uniquely special.

    Bimpe also credited her husband, King Yog1, for encouraging her to apply for a Canadian visa, which she had put off for five years.

    Read Also: Canada to tighten rules on hiring temporary foreign workers

    “I am such a cry baby. So yesterday on my way to Canada vibing to this song and I got emotional, thinking of where I am coming from, the struggles, the ups, and downs, through thick and thin, and how God has been faithful to me despite all of the life challenges, the way God keeps coming thru for me is such a big deal. Pls, note that I have been traveling out of our dear country, Naija, since 2015. From that time till now, a lot has happened, but My God keeps coming through.

    “This is a Thanksgiving post, and I connect everyone who so desired to receive such blessings to this post. Masha Allah. A o ni jabo lojiji lola Oluwa oba

    “CANADA WASILACODED IS PRESENT. Special thanks to my hubby for always pushing me to Greatness @king_yog1 Nah, this man forced me to submit an application For Canada, @starboytemidayo don dey give me an invite for the past 5yrs, I no dey submit, but when the time is Right, Yah Allah did it”.

  • Canada to tighten rules on hiring temporary foreign workers

    Canada to tighten rules on hiring temporary foreign workers

    Canada is set to reduce its intake of temporary foreign workers, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said.

    The PM announced this in a terse statement posted on his X handle on Wednesday.

    According to Trudeau, companies would have to prove reasons they can’t hire Canadian workers first before they’ll be allowed to hire foreigners.

    He wrote: “We’re going to have fewer temporary foreign workers in Canada.

    Read Also: Canada to cut international student intake by 10% in 2025

    “We’re bringing in stricter rules for companies to prove why they can’t hire Canadian workers first.”

    The adjustment comes in the wake of Canada experiencing substantial population growth driven by high levels of immigration, which has begun to outstrip job creation.

    This surge includes international students, foreign workers filling employment gaps, and individuals displaced by conflicts and natural disasters.

    The policy aims to balance the need for skilled labor with efforts to protect Canadian job opportunities, as the country grapples with post-pandemic economic recovery and labor market challenges.

  • Canada to cut international student intake by 10% in 2025

    Canada to cut international student intake by 10% in 2025

    Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau has announced that foreign students’ intake will be slashed by 10 percent from 2025.

    This means in 2025, new international student study permits will be reduced from the 2024 target of 485,000 to 437,000.

    Trudeau, who disclosed this in a post on X late Wednesday night, said the restriction has become imperative to protect the country.

    Trudeau said: “We’re granting 35 per cent fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10 per cent.

    Read Also: BBNaija: Wanni is least favourite housemate – Onyeka

    “Immigration is an advantage for our economy – but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down.”

    The North American country also announced that it will be limiting work permits to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose programme is at least 16 months long, and to spouses of foreign workers in certain sectors with labour shortages.

    Changes will also be coming to the post-graduation work permit programme to align with immigration goals and labour market needs.

    The international student cap is part of the federal government’s aim to decrease the number of temporary residents in Canada to five per cent over the next three years, down from the current 6.2 per cent. Earlier, the government announced a two-year cap on study permits to limit its international students’ intake and approve 364,000 undergraduate study permits in 2024, a reduction of 35 percent from 2023.

    Canada relies on economic immigrants to raise the revenue it needs to support social spending on services such as education and healthcare, as it strives to maintain high living standards amid the country’s low birth rate.

  • Canada to cut international student intake by 10% in 2025

    Canada to cut international student intake by 10% in 2025

    Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has announced a 10 percent reduction in foreign student intake starting in 2025.

    This means in 2025, new international student study permits will be reduced from the 2024 target of 485,000 to 437,000.

    Trudeau, who disclosed this in a post on X late Wednesday night, said the restriction has become imperative to protect the country.

    Trudeau said: “We’re granting 35 percent fewer international student permits this year. And next year, that number’s going down by another 10 percent.

    “Immigration is an advantage for our economy – but when bad actors abuse the system and take advantage of students, we crack down.”

    The North American country also announced that it will be limiting work permits to spouses of master’s degree students to only those whose program is at least 16 months long, and to spouses of foreign workers in certain sectors with labour shortages.

    Changes will also be coming to the post-graduation work permit program to align with immigration goals and labour market needs.

    The international student cap is part of the federal government’s aim to decrease the number of temporary residents in Canada to five per cent over the next three years, down from the current 6.2 per cent. Earlier, the government announced a two-year cap on study permits to limit its international students’ intake and approve 364,000 undergraduate study permits in 2024, a reduction of 35 percent from 2023.

    Canada relies on economic immigrants to raise the revenue it needs to support social spending on services such as education and healthcare, as it strives to maintain high living standards amid the country’s low birth rate.

    Read Also: Japa: Canada student enrolment drops by 45%

    Also speaking on Wednesday, in Ottawa, Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, said “International student cap is here to stay.”

    In January, Miller first announced a temporary two-year cap on international students to reduce levels by 35 percent this year. Next year’s number will go down by another 10 percent.

    “I would say that the measures that we’ve taken up to now are working,” Miller said. “You have seen more than anecdotal evidence that there has been an impact on certain rental markets where students are more prevalent.”

    The cap is national with each province assigned to its own quotas based on its population.

    Miller has previously called the international student system “out of control,” citing examples of abuse from some post-secondary institutions.

    The Nation had reported that Universities Canada criticized the government’s cap, saying enrolment of international students has dropped by at least 45 percent from last year, below the intended 35 percent cut in study permits announced earlier this year.

    Miller acknowledged the impact the cap is having on universities but said “They need to adjust their recruitment practices.”

    “This is a turbulent year for post-secondary institutions,” Miller said. “I certainly acknowledge that the turbulence is something I think we need to deal with, and what they want is predictability.

    Critics have pointed to the rapid growth in this group, with some blaming it for exacerbating societal issues like housing affordability and rising costs of living.

  • Japa: Canada student enrolment drops by 45%

    Japa: Canada student enrolment drops by 45%

    Universities Canada has expressed concern over a significant drop in international student enrolment following the cap on student visas.

    The Nation reports that foreign students recently protested in Canada, following plans by the authorities to deport them in line with a new policy on immigration.

    The national cap, introduced in January by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, was initially aimed at reducing international student intake by 35 per cent over the next two years.

    The temporary measure was put in place to address concerns over housing, healthcare, and other services strained by the growing number of international students.

    But president of Universities Canada, Gabriel Miller, said there is a decline in international student admission.

    Read Also: Tinubu calls for focus on youth empowerment, digital economy

    He noted that initial projections suggested a dramatic 45 per cent drop in international student enrolments once universities complete their tallies in October.

    “There’s every possibility that it’s going to be even worse than we fear. We’re already in uncharted territory, and this should be a wake-up call for Ottawa to take immediate action,” he said.

    The government initially estimated that approximately 364,000 study permits would be approved this year but the figure has since been revised to around 292,000.

    The reduction is especially targeted at provinces experiencing the most significant growth in student numbers.

    Universities Canada expressed worry about the long-term effects of the cap on enrolment and competitiveness.

  • Japa: Canada student enrolment drops by 45 per cent

    Japa: Canada student enrolment drops by 45 per cent

    Universities Canada have raised the alarm over a significant drop in international student enrolment following the cap on student visas.

    The Nation reported that foreign students recently protested in Canada, following plans by the authorities to deport them on account of a new policy on immigration.

    The national cap, introduced in January by Immigration Minister Marc Miller, was initially aimed at reducing international student intake by 35% over the next two years.

    The temporary measure was put in place to address concerns over housing, healthcare, and other services strained by the growing number of international students.

    However, Gabriel Miller, president of Universities Canada, said there is a decline in international student admission.

    He told Global News that initial projections suggest a dramatic 45% drop in international student enrolments once universities complete their tallies in October.

    “There’s every possibility that it’s going to be even worse than we fear,” Miller said in an interview. “We’re already in uncharted territory, and this should be a wake-up call for Ottawa to take immediate action,” he stated. 

    Read Also: Canada bars visiting visa holder from work permit

    The government initially estimated that approximately 364,000 study permits would be approved in 2024 but this figure has since been revised to around 292,000.

    The reduction is especially targeted at provinces experiencing the most significant growth in student numbers.

    Universities Canada is worried about the long-term effects of the cap on enrolment and competitiveness. International students, according to Miller, are crucial not only for enhancing the educational experience but also for contributing financially to Canadian institutions and the broader economy.

    “The cap’s collateral damage will hurt our ability to attract and retain talent in the future,” he added.

    In response to these concerns, the immigration minister’s office noted that, while they have seen a reduction in approvals compared to 2023, it is still too early to assess the full impact.

    The busiest period for study permit processing—August and September—has yet to be fully analyzed. 

    The office added that more accurate data would be available once the final numbers for the fall 2024 and winter 2024 seasons are collected.

  • Canada spends $23m on nine medical oxygen plants

    Canada spends $23m on nine medical oxygen plants

    The Canadian Government said that it expended not less than $23 million to build and equip nine medical oxygen plants in nine States.

    The Country’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff announced this when he visited one of the facility in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State. 

    The project was jointly executed with Rivers State Government and IHS Towere engineers, through the United Children Education Fund (UNICEF). 

    It has the capacity to fill 137 20-1litre medical oxygen bottles in 24 hours and was  commissioned by Governor Siminialayi Fubara last month.

    However, Christoff was absent at the commissioning ceremony and visited yesterday to see things for himself.

    Speaking shortly after the tour of the building, he expressed satisfaction in the what he saw and noted that the need to execute the facility in nine Nigerian States was discovered  during post pandemic need assessment Survey.

    He said: “I recognise that the building was commissioned earlier in August, but I want to come and see it for myself. 

    Read Also: Tinubu orders review of road safety measures after Niger tanker explosion

    “You know pandemic hit the world quite hard and in ways that it remains lingering in terms of the fact and the aftermaths.

    ” In all we recognise there are ways we need to come together to address short-comings that were revealed during our national response.

    “Now the plant is not just supplying valuable oxygen to those who need it, it is another example of where the Government of Rivers State, the local health authorities, international; community, the United Nations System are able to come together, identify a problem, put it on the table and have those from the international community respond in kind. 

    “The Government of Canada provided $23 million to support the building of nine facilities across Nigeria including this one and to respond to similar gaps that we have identified during our response. So it is with great pride that I’m here today as Canada’s representative here in Nigeria.” 

    In his goodwill message, Surveillance Officer of World Health Organization (WHO), Mrs Deborah Umogbai Akinola noted that the need for oxygen in managing patients challenged by different diseases such as pneumonia, respiratory illnesses such as Covid, Tauma, surgery among others cannot be over emphasized. 

    Akinola revealed that pneumonia alone kills over 800, 000 persons every year in Nigeria, regreting that 40 per cent of the deaths would have been prevented with oxygen.

    She expressed the confidence that with the development, the very essential health commodity would be more readily available for those whose would need them to stay alive.

    “Pneumonia alone accounts for about 800, 000 deaths, and 40 per cent of these deaths can be prevented if oxygene therapy is readily available.”

    She thanked the Canadian Government, the WHO and UNICEF partners, and the construction firm who built the project.

    Chief of Field Office UNICEF Port Harcourt, Dr Anselem Audu,  expected that the plant would deliver supllies to both Private and public hospitals in the State to improve the health of the populace.

    “The funding for the establishment of the facility was fully provided by the Canadian Government, IHS Towers through UNICEF, and the government in their wisdom has insured private-public -partnership to ensure the sustainability of the plant, so with that we’re optimistic that medical oxygen would be readily available for every patient that would need it,” he said.

  • Canada bars visiting visa holder from work permit

    Canada bars visiting visa holder from work permit

    Canada has barred holders of visitor visas from applying for work permits while inside the country with immediate effect.

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the significant policy shift yesterday.

    “While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the statement read.

    “IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.

    “IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.”

    The IRCC said the decision was influenced by concerns that some individuals were exploiting the policy to mislead foreign nationals into unauthorised employment in Canada.

    “IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorisation.

    Read Also: FG vows to honour $5b African Energy Bank host country agreement

    “IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy,” the statement added.

    This policy was initially implemented in August 2020 as a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    At the time, many visitors were stranded in Canada due to international travel restrictions and border closures.

    Under the policy, visitors could apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada.

    Also, anyone who had held a work permit within the preceding 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”

  • Canada bars visitor visa holders from applying for work permits

    Canada bars visitor visa holders from applying for work permits

    Canada has barred holders of visitor visas from applying for work permits while inside the country, effective immediately.

    This was made known by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in policy.

    “While the temporary policy was set to expire on February 28, 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of our overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system,” the statement read.

    “IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization. IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy.”

    Read Also: What you need to know about FG’s ban on under-18 WAEC, NECO candidates

    The IRCC further said that the decision was influenced by concerns that some individuals were exploiting the policy to mislead foreign nationals into unauthorized employment in Canada.

    “IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization. IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before August 28, 2024, under the policy,” the statement added.

    This policy was initially implemented in August 2020 as a response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    At the time, many visitors were stranded in Canada due to international travel restrictions and border closures.

    Under the policy, visitors could apply for a work permit without having to leave Canada.

    Also, anyone who had held a work permit within the preceding 12 months but had changed their immigration status to “visitor” became eligible to “work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.”