Janice Lozano
International students in Canada have been left out of the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) financial aid package, which was announced by the Justin Trudeau-led government in response to the pandemic. This has left many international students in a precarious position, as they often rely on part-time jobs to pay for their tuition fees and other expenses. While some have called for the CESB to be expanded to include international students, others have pointed out that international students are expected to have the funds to support themselves before coming to Canada. However, the Canadian government has offered some support for international students, including the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the removal of working restrictions, allowing them to work more than 20 hours a week during the pandemic.
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What You'll Learn
- International students are not eligible for CESB
- International students can qualify for CERB
- International students contribute billions to the Canadian economy
- International students are asking for increased government support
- Canadian universities are offering bursary schemes for international students
International students are not eligible for CESB
International students in Canada are not eligible for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB). The CESB is a financial aid package that was announced by the Justin Trudeau-led government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides weekly income support to students and recent graduates who are struggling to make ends meet. However, this support is not available to international students, who make up a significant portion of the student population in Canada.
The exclusion of international students from the CESB has caused uncertainty and financial hardship for many. Some international students have lost their part-time jobs due to the pandemic and are now struggling to pay for basic essentials, tuition fees, and other expenses. They feel that they have been left behind and are asking the Canadian government for help. In response to these concerns, some universities have offered bursary schemes specifically for international students in need of funding. For example, Queen's University set aside part of its $2 million bursary for international students.
While international students are not eligible for the CESB, they may qualify for other forms of financial assistance, such as the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). To be eligible for the CERB, individuals must reside in Canada, be over 15 years old, have earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application, and have stopped working due to COVID-19-related reasons. However, not all international students meet these requirements, particularly those who only worked part-time.
The Canadian government has also temporarily removed working restrictions for international students, allowing them to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session, as long as they work in essential services such as healthcare or food supply. This measure aims to provide international students with additional income support during the pandemic. However, the availability of jobs and opportunities has been impacted for everyone, including international students.
The exclusion of international students from the CESB has sparked discussions and petitions calling for their inclusion in the program. International students feel that they contribute significantly to the Canadian economy, both through tuition fees and their participation in the workforce. They argue that their exclusion from the CESB is unfair and may even impact their decision to continue their studies in Canada. While the Canadian government has not extended the CESB to international students, it has provided other forms of support, such as injecting funds into the Canada Summer Jobs program to create more job opportunities for youth.
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International students can qualify for CERB
International students in Canada have been affected by the global health crisis and are seeking financial support. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) is a government scheme that offers temporary income support to citizens and taxpayers during the COVID-19 outbreak.
International students and foreign workers may be eligible for CERB, but they must meet certain criteria. Firstly, they must reside in Canada and have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN). They must also have earned an income of at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application. Additionally, they should be at least 15 years old and have lost their work due to reasons related to COVID-19.
It is important to note that not all international students are eligible for CERB. Some students may not meet the income requirement, as they rely on part-time work that has been affected by the pandemic. There have been petitions and movements advocating for more support for international students who have fallen through the cracks.
While CERB excludes many international students, they may still be able to receive financial assistance through other means. The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) was created as part of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Plan, providing monthly benefits to eligible students. However, CESB is currently only available to Canadian citizens and students with permanent disabilities or dependents.
International students in Canada who do not qualify for CERB or CESB may seek alternative forms of support. The government may provide implied status to those awaiting work/study permit extension decisions, allowing them to continue studying or working per their original permit conditions. Additionally, students can explore other government initiatives or seek support from organizations like Migrant Students, which advocates for the interests of international students.
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International students contribute billions to the Canadian economy
International students have long contributed significantly to the Canadian economy, and this trend looks set to continue. In 2022, international students in Canada spent around $37.3 billion on tuition, accommodation, and discretionary items. This spending supported 353,850 jobs in the Canadian economy and contributed $7.4 billion in tax revenue.
The overall economic impact of international students in Canada in 2022 was estimated to be $30.9 billion, or 1.2% of Canada's GDP. This figure is expected to have increased to around $40 billion in 2023, as foreign enrolment in Canada climbed by 29% year-on-year.
International students' expenditures represent revenue from overseas for Canadian goods and services, making international education a significant export sector for Canada. In 2022, the value of international education services accounted for 23.1% of Canada's total service exports to the world and 5.1% of its total merchandise exports.
The economic impact of international students in Canada has been growing rapidly. Overall student spending more than doubled between 2016 and 2022, increasing by nearly 16% per year on average. This growth is driven in part by the increasing number of international students choosing to study in Canada, which rose from about 600,000 in 2018 to over 805,000 in 2022.
The Canadian government recognises the value of international students to the economy and has offered generous support packages during the COVID-19 pandemic, including removing working restrictions to allow international students to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. While international students were not eligible for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), they could qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) if they met the requirements, which included having earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior to their application.
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International students are asking for increased government support
International students in Canada have been excluded from the Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) financial aid package, and they are asking for increased government support. While the Canadian government has offered some of the most generous support packages for international students, the CESB's ineligibility for international students has left them with uncertainty about continuing their education in Canada.
International students have taken to social media to ask the Canadian government to expand the CESB or provide healthcare and income support. A petition for increased government support has amassed more than 11,000 signatures. The CESB offers $1,250 per month to eligible post-secondary students, but international students are not eligible for this benefit. This exclusion has left many international students feeling unsupported by the government, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many have lost their part-time jobs.
Some international students may qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) if they meet certain requirements, such as being over 15 years old, having to stop working due to COVID-19, and earning at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months before their application. However, those who only worked part-time during the winter semester and did not earn enough may not be eligible for CERB, leaving them in a difficult financial situation.
To address these concerns, the Canadian government has temporarily removed working restrictions, allowing international students to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and more than 20 hours per week during the summer if they work in essential services. Additionally, some Canadian universities, such as Queen's University, have offered bursary schemes specifically for international students in need of funding. However, there are calls for more to be done, with some suggesting that tuition fees should be reduced for international students to help them through these challenging times.
The inclusion of international students in the CESB would be a step in the right direction to support all students studying in Canada during the pandemic. Canada welcomes a large number of international students each year, and their contribution to the economy is significant. Extending the CESB to include international students would ensure that they receive the support they need to continue their education in Canada.
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Canadian universities are offering bursary schemes for international students
International students looking to study in Canada can benefit from a range of bursary, scholarship, and grant schemes to help fund their education. Global Affairs Canada, for example, features international scholarships offered by Canadian governments, foreign governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations.
One such scholarship is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which is open to both Canadian and international PhD students studying at Canadian universities. This scholarship is worth $50,000 per year for three years. The Quebec government also offers scholarships and grants through its research funds FRQNT (nature et technologies), FRQS (santé), and FRQSC (société et culture) for doctoral studies, postdoctoral fellowships, and short-term research or professional development. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation offers doctoral scholarships of up to $60,000 per scholar for up to four years to up to 15 outstanding doctoral candidates enrolled in a social sciences and humanities program.
Additionally, the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program offers scholarships to Canadians wishing to pursue short-term study, research, or Chinese language training at participating institutions in China.
It is important to note that the costs of attending university in Canada go beyond tuition fees, and students must also budget for books, living expenses, housing, utilities, personal expenses, and insurance. Many universities offer on-campus residences, some specifically for international students, but acceptance at a Canadian school does not guarantee a room in residence. Students can also seek assistance from their university's housing office or student services to find off-campus housing.
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Frequently asked questions
No, international students are not eligible for CESB.
Students are expected to have the funds to support themselves before coming to Canada. They should not rely on working in Canada to pay the bills.
International students in Canada can benefit from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). They can also benefit from bursary schemes from some Canadian universities, such as Queen's University, which has set aside part of its $2 million bursary for international students in need of funding.
To be eligible for CERB, an individual must be residing in Canada, be over 15 years old, have stopped working due to COVID-19, have earned at least CA$5,000 in 2019 or the 12 months prior, and not have voluntarily quit their job.
The Canadian government has temporarily removed working restrictions to allow international students to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week while classes are in session, as long as they work in essential services such as healthcare or food supply.
