Catherine Sas Says Why are the provinces stymieing this sensible legislation? On April 18, international students attending post-secondary schools across the country applauded Immigration Minister Joe Volpe’s announcement that he was expanding an initiative that would allow them to work up to 20 hours a week off campus to supplement the cost of their studies. Well, so far this announcement is meaningless because it’s being stymied by provincial governments across the country failing to enter into agreements with the federal government. In other words, the federal government can change the law of the land, but the provinces need to make it happen. At the time of Volpe’s announcement, three provinces Manitoba, New Brunswick and Quebec had already established pilot projects to permit off campus employment for foreign students. But in B.C., foreign students are banned from working here while they study, even though our economy is crying out for skilled workers. This makes BC far less attractive to foreign students than other provinces. Not only are we losing their educational dollars but also the talent that they bring to our province. Employers want to hire overseas students because they deal on a daily basis with the frustration of a labor shortage particularly in the tourism and hospitality industry, one of the key sectors of the B.C. economy. I say it’s time the B.C. government got off the can and supported this federal government initiative. Students need help to pay for significantly increased education fees – and B.C. needs more intelligent and motivated people in the employment pool. In my book, Volpe still deserves credit, but without the provinces signing on his efforts are being wasted. My hope is that by the start of the new school year in September, provincial premiers will realize what a valuable resource they are neglecting – the contribution that foreign students can make here economically and culturally – and will act with haste to enter into federal agreements that allows foreign students a part-time presence in the workforce. Text starts here. this section to avoid bg image from tiling. Archives: Aug/05 Why are the provinces stymieing this sensible legislation? July/05 Let’s get business immigration back on the fast track May/05 Why Immigration gets an A-grade for helping foreign students