7

Nov

Call To End  Exploitation Of Foreign  Students In Canada

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Prabhjot Singh

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Toronto, Canada |Thursday | 7 November 2024

In a unique and significant step, the City of Brampton has called on the Federal and Ontario governments to take immediate action to protect international students from exploitation. This appeal comes as Brampton’s leaders recognize the urgent need to address challenges that international students face, including financial hardships, housing issues, and exposure to exploitation.

In a letter addressed to Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller, Ontario Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn, and Ontario Labour Minister David Piccini, Brampton’s Mayor Patrick Brown, Regional Councillor Rowena Santos, and Gurpreet Malhotra, CEO of Indus Community Services, highlighted the plight of international students who often struggle in vulnerable situations. They acknowledged Canada’s recent move to limit temporary resident intake as a step forward, yet stressed that more must be done for students already in the country, many of whom find themselves in precarious conditions upon arrival.

Brampton, home to a diverse and growing population of over 700,000, has seen a significant influx of international students, with more than 70 per cent of them being of Indian origin. These students contribute immensely to the city’s cultural and economic landscape, yet they often face severe financial pressures and housing insecurity. Unfortunately, many students arrive with high hopes, only to discover that the cost of living far exceeds their resources. Compounding these issues, private and public educational institutions often provide inadequate support for international students, especially regarding safe and affordable housing options.

Article at a Glance

The City of Brampton has urgently called on the Federal and Ontario governments to take action against the exploitation of international students, who often face financial struggles, housing insecurity, and inadequate support.
In a letter to key ministers, Brampton's leaders, including Mayor Patrick Brown, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to address these challenges, especially for the over 70% of international students from India. Despite local initiatives like an International Students Charter and anti-human trafficking strategies, systemic issues persist.
The city advocates for enhanced support services, mandatory orientation programs for students, and policy changes to improve work conditions and reduce exploitation risks. Brampton's leaders believe that collaborative action is essential to create a safer, more supportive environment for international students in Canada.

The City of Brampton has taken steps to tackle these challenges within the limitations of its municipal jurisdiction. It has implemented initiatives such as an International Students Charter and a Residential Rental Licensing Pilot (RRL) to improve rental conditions. Additionally, Brampton has developed an anti-human trafficking strategy and collaborated with the Peel Regional Police, which has a dedicated Human Trafficking team of 20 members. This team works closely with various service providers and legal experts to identify, pursue, and prosecute traffickers, providing specialized training and raising awareness among groups vulnerable to exploitation, including international students.

A recent meeting of the Brampton Council brought together various stakeholders who shared insights on the critical issues faced by international students and the exploitative practices that target them. Dr. Sukhjeevan Singh Chattha, a social activist, presented on "Hidden but Thriving - Brampton’s International Students and Human Trafficking," which included a female international student’s story and addressed visa scams, college enrolment scams, and other challenges. He highlighted support efforts by the Kaur Movement Foundation, which aids victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and emphasized how sex work advertisements often target vulnerable international student girls, putting them at heightened risk of human trafficking.

Gurpreet Malhotra from Indus Community Services discussed the restrictions social agencies face in supporting international students, referring to the documentary *I Am No Queen* which illustrates the lived experiences of international students. Dani Mills, Director of Outreach Services, discussed the responsibilities of educational institutions in informing international students about their rights, personal safety, and access to support services. Additionally, Peel Regional Police’s Detective Sergeant Bob Hackenbrook outlined the Vice Unit’s efforts to combat human trafficking, detailing the team’s work in gathering and sharing critical statistics and collaboration strategies with community partners.

The letter from Brampton’s leaders urged all levels of government to take coordinated action, as the city alone lacks the authority and resources to address these systemic issues. Brampton has committed to working with community partners to develop culturally sensitive programs to support international students. These include enhancing the RRL program to ensure better protection in rental housing, increasing awareness of human trafficking risks, and addressing illegal rental practices. Furthermore, the city plans to pilot comprehensive support services tailored to international students, covering housing, mental health, employment, and anti-trafficking measures.

A key recommendation is for the Ontario government to require colleges and universities to implement orientation programs for international students before they arrive in Canada. This would help prepare students for the realities they will face and provide critical information on available resources. Additionally, Brampton is calling on the province to adjust the “Heads and Beds Levy” to account for student residency, which would better support municipalities that host large numbers of students.

At the federal level, Brampton has requested funding for a community-based pilot program to support local service organizations in providing essential services to international students. The city also advocates for policy changes to address vulnerabilities stemming from restrictive work-hour limits for international students, which often push them into unsafe job environments. Current policies linking deportation conditions to "sex work" further exacerbate risks, and Brampton has urged changes to allow greater freedom for students to work legally, thereby reducing exploitation risks.

While Brampton has made significant strides in supporting international students, it is evident that further action from higher levels of government is crucial. The city’s leaders believe that meaningful change can be achieved with a collaborative approach, creating a safer and more supportive environment for international students in Canada. The letter concludes with a plea for both provincial and federal governments to recognise the urgency of these issues and provide the resources and legislative changes needed to protect international students from exploitation and help them thrive in their communities.

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