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We can now work unlimited hours even during school sessions!

bongoman

VIP Member
Dec 3, 2014
4,176
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https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2020/04/removing-barriers-for-international-students-working-in-essential-services-to-fight-covid-19.html

April 22, 2020
Ottawa—To help battle the COVID-19 outbreak, starting immediately, the government will remove the restriction that allows international students to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.
 

Bs65

VIP Member
Mar 22, 2016
13,190
2,419
As it says though essential work only so not a free pass to work anywhere. Seems a very odd decision given all the citizens and residents who are becoming unemployed. The 20 hour limit was there for a reason, to encourage students to focus on the reason for being in Canada in first place but I guess there are gaps to be filled due to people being laid low by COVID infections in health field and the surge in online deliveries during any lockdown
 

selvakk

Champion Member
Nov 28, 2018
2,414
529
from the article, it seems they are trying to tap into people who are almost qualified, especially in the health sector

"For instance, thousands of international students are studying in health- and emergency service-related programs, including many who are nearly fully trained and ready to graduate. This temporary rule change provides health-care facilities with access to additional well-trained workers at a time when they are badly needed."
 

kloppity

Hero Member
Nov 20, 2019
561
319
Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough said that the government wanted to put new incentives in place for students who spend the summer volunteering because the need is there, but it will also reduce the number of young people who are “sitting around” this summer.

WON'T 'SOLVE ALL PROBLEMS'
While the news of more aid is being welcomed by student groups, “we don’t expect it to solve all the problems that students are going to have over the summer,” said Adam Brown, chair of the University of Alberta students' union, and chair of the board of the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations.

“It’s a very stressful time overall for students. A lot of students have moved home, a lot of international students are still in Canada because potentially there’s a worse situation in their home country, so it’s very unpredictable right now,” he said in an interview on CTV News Channel.

Brown said that while it will help cover rent and food over the summer, come the fall another conversation will be needed about next steps.

Looming large is the question of whether or not schools will even be able to resume classes come September, with many having to develop contingency plans, especially for courses that are typically held in large lecture halls with more than 100 students.

The new funds will be available for Canadians studying in Canada, as well as students who are completing postsecondary schooling abroad, her office clarified. Non-citizens, such as international students, cannot claim the emergency benefit.

However, international students are going to be allowed to work more that the current maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, provided they are working in an essential service or function, such as health care, critical infrastructure, or the supply of food or other critical goods.

Source:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/pm-trudeau-announces-9b-in-new-covid-19-funding-for-students-1.4906564
 
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