WINNIPEG, October 31, 2003 -- The Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba today launched an innovative two-year pilot program to permit international post-secondary students studying in the province to work off campus. The joint federal-provincial program is one of several new tools designed to help make Canadian universities and colleges destinations of choice for international students."International students enrich the life of every campus by bringing new ideas, talents and cultures with them," said the Honourable Denis Coderre, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). "Off-campus work programs will help to make our post-secondary institutions even more attractive internationally by giving students the opportunity to earn while they learn and gain some experience in the Canadian labour market."The Manitoba pilot will allow full-time international students who have completed one year of study at a public college or university in the province to apply for an open work permit. The permit will allow them to work off campus for a maximum of 20 hours a week while they are registered as full-time students. Currently, full-time international students in Canada are only allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered.CIC will issue work permits to eligible international students for periods of one year. Manitoba Advanced Education and Training will ensure the pilot project is implemented in a consistent manner throughout the province. Manitoba's publicly funded post-secondary institutions have agreed to monitor student compliance with the project guidelines. Manitoba Labour and Immigration will act in an advisory capacity and facilitate communications with CIC."This pilot creates opportunities for international students to participate more fully in Manitoba's communities during their studies," said Diane McGifford, Manitoba Minister of Advanced Education and Training. "Pioneering dynamic models of cooperation like this between strong federal-provincial partners enriches both the student and the local community.""This pilot agreement should encourage more international students to register for post-secondary studies in the province," said Steve Ashton, Manitoba Minister of Labour and Immigration. "It is a very creative and practical way for the students to experience the working world off campus in Manitoba and learn first hand what a great province we live in."Manitoba played an instrumental role in establishing how the international student off-campus work pilot will function as well as the duties and responsibilities of each level of government. An advisory committee with federal, provincial and institutional representation will manage the pilot and provide ongoing evaluation.-30-For more information (media only):Sarah BainPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister(613) 954-1064Susan ScarlettMedia RelationsCommunications Branch(613) 941-7035Cabinet CommunicationsGovernment of Manitoba(204) 945-1494www.gov.mb.caAgreement Background and HighlightsCitizenship and Immigration Canada-Manitoba Off-Campus Work Agreementfor International Students Agreement ObjectiveTo enhance the global competitiveness of Canada's post-secondary academic institutions while giving international students an opportunity to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Canadian society.PurposeThe federal government intends to make Canada a destination of choice for international students by providing them with limited access to the labour market while they are registered as full-time students at an eligible post-secondary institution.The pilot agreement with Manitoba will encourage more international students to register for post-secondary studies in the province and be consistent with its regionalization and labour market policies. (Manitoba had approximately 3,495 international students studying there in 2002.)Agreement ParticipantsCitizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will issue the open work permits to international students registered at an eligible post-secondary institution in Manitoba, and limit the maximum permissible hours of work to 20 a week. As well, CIC will cooperate with other program participants to establish compatible reporting systems and processes, and outline the information it wishes to receive from other partners.Manitoba Advanced Education and Training will ensure the pilot is implemented equally across the province and sign memorandums of understanding with participating institutions. It will also work with these institutions to ensure all students and employers are aware of how the program works, and will provide data to CIC, including details on the participating institutions and the individual students enrolled in the program.Manitoba Labour and Immigration will continue to be an active partner in an advisory capacity with regard to immigration issues that might arise during the implementation, operation and evaluation phases of the pilot project, and with regard to current and potential labour market impacts. It will also facilitate communications and discussions with CIC in accordance with its role as the lead agency on immigration issues.Participating institutions will arrange to have each participating student sign a contract indicating that they understand the terms of the pilot and consent to the release of personal information to CIC and the province. Each institution will also ensure that participating students meet the eligibility criteria and enforce compliance by not supporting the renewal of students who fail to meet the criteria. As well, post-secondary institutions will verify the status and academic standing of all participating students once a year and issue reports to the project coordinator once each academic term.Open Work PermitsInternational students registered at eligible post-secondary institutions will be allowed to work for an employer or for themselves anywhere within the province of Manitoba for a maximum of 20 hours a week. The work permit can be renewed after one year provided the international student continues to meet the eligibility requirements.Open work permits can be issued to international students whohave completed a full academic session of study (two consecutive terms) within the previous 12 months at a participating institution;have been and are registered for full-time studies;have signed a consent form for the release of personal information and also have a letter of support from the institution;maintain an acceptable academic standing;continue to fulfil the terms of their study permits; andhave not been previously reported for non-compliance with pilot program conditions.Current Rules for International StudentsCurrently, full-time international students are only allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered without the need for a work permit. The employer can be the institution, the faculty, the student organization, the students themselves (self-employment), a private business or a private contractor providing services to the institution on the campus.This regulation applies to students engaged in full-time studies at a university, a community degree-granting college, a CEGEP, a publicly funded trade or technical school or a private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees. It applies to all courses of study (including ESL/FSL) as long as the course is full-time. It also applies to any type of job, as well as to students working as research or teaching assistants at facilities off campus in research related to their research grant. These facilities could include teaching hospitals, clinics, research institutes or others that have a formal association or affiliation with the learning institution.
