International students in Sask. say decision to lift 20-hour work cap should be made permanent
CBC
International students in Saskatchewan say Ottawa's move to temporarily lift the cap on hours they can work off campus each week is good news, but some want the change to be permanent.
On Nov. 15, the federal government will remove the ceiling of 20 hours of off-campus work per week while classes are in session. The pilot, in effect until Dec. 31 of next year, is an effort to address the country's labour shortages.
Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said Friday that around 500,000 students would be eligible for the program.
"It's great news for international students," said Sithija Abishek, who works part time as a line cook at Olive Garden while pursuing a computer science major at University of Saskatchewan.
The 21-year-old moved to Saskatoon on Feb. 9 from Sri Lanka.
"I can cover daily expenses and accumulate tuition, especially since things aren't great economically back home."
Abishek intends to work an extra day with hopes of putting in 30-40 hours per week during long weekends and reading weeks.
"We tend to have unexpected expenses, like recently a $100 subscription for a study-based platform. I'm suffering," he said.
"But in future, I can work an extra day and cover that."
Sask Polytechnic student Ajith Aeilias will also increase his hours at a pizza place.
"They've increased rent, groceries and other prices and international students have to take care of everything. This move will help," the 28-year-old said.
"The government should have done this much earlier."
Some students CBC talked to at USask Tuesday afternoon agreed, saying the change should be made permanent.
Krunal Chavda said he'll work at least 25-30 hours a week to account for tuition rates that have increased "three times more than 2020" and other inflationary expenses.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.