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441-01761 (Citizenship and immigration)
Petition to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
WHEREAS:
- Bangladeshi students often face long wait times and low acceptance rates for study permits into Canada, impacting their ability to complete their studies;
- Bangladeshi Canadians and students have called for the inclusion of Bangladesh into the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, which students in other countries in the region have access too;
- The Official Opposition has staunchly advocated in the House of Commons for Bangladesh to be included in the SDS program;
- The Government of Canada did start internal evaluations for Bangladesh's inclusion into SDS and projected an answer for Fall 2022; and
- Bangladeshi students have been waiting years for an answer on SDS.
We, the undersigned residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to:
- provide an update on the status on the evaluation of Bangladesh for the Student Direct Stream program; and
- include Bangladesh in the Student Direct Stream program in a timely manner.
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): PAUL CHIANG, M.P.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is comprehensively reviewing the International Student Program in order to provide equitable access to students and strengthen program integrity.
One of the elements of this program reform is to implement a Recognized Institution Framework, which will result in faster processing for prospective students applying to Designated Learning Institutions that are meeting a higher bar with regards to sustainable student recruitment, student support and housing, student equity and diversity, and student outcomes. This faster processing would be based on the Designated Learning Institutions meeting this higher bar, rather than the country from which the prospective international student is applying for a study permit. In the future, prospective students applying from Bangladesh to recognized institutions will have the opportunity to access expedited processing.
IRCC strives to deliver client service excellence in all programs, including the International Student Program. The Student Direct Stream (SDS) is a program to expedite processing; it does not give international students better access to Canadian schools or programs. All students, whether or not they are applying through the SDS, are required to meet the regular study permit requirements. The SDS does not change the fundamental eligibility criteria for a study permit.
IRCC continues to work towards delivering faster and more efficient processing for all of its clients, including international students.
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Brad Redekopp
(Saskatoon West)
October 16, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01761) - Government response tabled
- November 29, 2023
Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.