Workers dreaming of permanent residency protest changes to P.E.I.'s immigration streams

A few dozen workers gathered in downtown Charlottetown Thursday to protest changes to the province's immigration streams, and say they intend to demonstrate every day until changes are made.

"I want to be here for the rest of my life. But we just need a chance," said Rupinder Pal Singh, one of the protesters.

"We moved here with a lot of expectations, lot of interest in the province that we are going to grow together as one," he said. "But... they changed the rules and they eliminated us all out, like we were never here."

Back in February, the P.E.I. government announced it would cut the number of people from other countries that it nominates for permanent residency in Canada through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The number of nominees will fall by 25 per cent in 2024, partly as a result of pressure on P.E.I.'s health-care system and housing market.

The province's new population strategy specified that of the spots that remained, people who work in specific occupations including health care and construction would be given priority.

Singh said he's lived in Charlottetown for a year and a half, after coming to Canada in 2019 to work toward a better future for himself and his family.

With his work permit due to expire in about two months, he hopes Thursday's protest brings more awareness about the situation before he has to leave the province.

"We are working 10 hours a day and contributing (to) the economy and they are just helping people working in health care and construction," he said. 

The changes to the PNP program include a points system that was implemented last July. Before the points system was launched, Singh said, someone seeking permanent residency could eventually obtain it — as long as they worked a full-time job on P.E.I. for more than six months.

Now, more than 65 points are needed to be able to apply. As a 22-year-old, Singh said that's nearly impossible for him. For example, he gets only seven points for his age category, while those over age 25 would get 20 points.

Singh works as an internet tech sales representative, which under the National Employment Classification (NOC) is considered TEER 2, along with other jobs like electrician and plumber. (The acronym TEER stands for training, education, experience and responsibility.)

But now that the program requirements have changed, and there's a focus on occupations the province has deemed to be in demand, Singh says he won't be able to renew his work permit.

"Sales and services, food sectors…will be totally eliminated," he said.

Navpreet Navpreet came to Canada from India five years ago. She lived in Richmond in Western P.E.I. before moving to Charlottetown, where she now works as a customer representative in tech.