MORE REASONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO CHOOSE CANADA
OTTAWA, April 18, 2005
— The Honorable Joe Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, is pleased to build on the success of Canada’s international study program by announcing new initiatives to better attract, integrate and retain international students in regions throughout the country.
In partnership with provinces and territories, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is expanding two pilot initiatives to help make Canada a destination of choice for international students. The first will allow international students at public post-secondary institutions to work off-campus while completing their studies so that they can experience the Canadian labour market and gain a wider understanding of Canadian society. The second will allow students to work for two years, rather than one year, after their graduation. This second initiative will apply outside Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver to help spread the benefits of immigration to more of Canada’s regions.
Through past pilot projects and agreements with CIC, some provinces have already experienced the success of the initiatives, which are now being expanded throughout Canada. The Government of Canada is investing $10 million a year for five years to support this announcement.
“We have been listening to our stakeholders and are certain that these ini