November 17, 2023
Nancy Healey
Commissioner for Employers
140 Place du Portage Gatineau, PQ
KIA 0J9
The Honourable Mark Miller
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1A 0A6
Dear Minister Miller,
I request that you maintain the lifting of the 20-hour-per-week cap on the number of hours that eligible post-secondary students are allowed to work off-campus while class is in session. Employers are continuing to face unprecedented challenges in finding and retaining the workers they need. The continuation of this measure provides international students with greater opportunity to gain valuable work experience in Canada and increases the availability of workers to sustain Canada’s economic growth.
Canada is experiencing a tightening labor market, exacerbated by a decline in the number of youth available for employment. In many regions, this shortage poses a significant challenge to the stability and growth of local businesses. There are fewer low skilled Canadians to fill positions and businesses are suffering. According to Statistics Canada the number of vacant positions requiring a high school diploma or less education exceeded the number of unemployed Canadians with such an education ever since the third quarter of 2021.
Considering the ongoing labor market dynamics and the essential role international students play in supporting local economies, I request your consideration in continuing the policy introduced last year allowing international students to work 40 hours per week. This adjustment will not only continue to meet the needs of Canadian employers but will also provide the over 500,000 international students already in Canada with the means to cover their living expenses in a challenging economic environment.
Sincerely,
Nancy Healey
Commissioner for Employers
CC: Honourble Randy Boissionault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development & Official Langaugaes
