New Delhi: Canada, the country with the highest recorded number of deaths of Indian students abroad since 2018, is extremely “concerned” about the “vulnerability of international students” studying there.
The Canadian government has told ThePrint that it is taking steps to improve the situation for international students, with the aim of implementing them before the start of the 2024-25 academic year.
In a written communication, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) — the government department responsible for immigration matters — said, “IRCC is very concerned about the vulnerability of international students. While education is a provincial/territorial responsibility, IRCC recognises that we need to work collaboratively with provinces and territories, as well as learning institutions, to develop ways to address concerns related to student vulnerability.”
In the past five years, Canada recorded the highest number of deaths of Indian students abroad – 91 out of the 403 recorded by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) since 2018, as reported by ThePrint earlier.
These deaths are attributed to a number of reasons including natural causes, accidents and medical conditions, the data made available by the MEA to the Rajya Sabha showed. V. Muraleedharan, minister of state in the MEA, told the House that the UK (48), Russia (40), the US (36) and Australia (35) recorded the most student deaths abroad after Canada.
“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) offers our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones who have been impacted by the deaths among Indian students studying in Canada,” IRCC wrote in its communication to ThePrint.
5,67,607 Indians went abroad to study in Canada between 2018 and 2022, according to data made available by the MEA to the Rajya Sabha in February 2023 – making the country the second most popular global destination for Indian students.
The most popular destination in this period was the US, where 6,21,336 Indian students went, while the UK ranked third with 3,17,119 students choosing it.
Adoption of ‘recognised institutions’ framework
In 2024, the Canadian government will be adopting a ‘recognised institutions’ framework to identify and benefit designated learning institutions (DLIs) that set a “higher standard” by “providing exceptional support and outcomes” for international students, IRCC wrote.
“Designated learning institutions (DLIs) typically have international student advisors who facilitate services and help connect their students by providing them with information on mental and physical health services, and other support as necessary.”
“DLIs often have their own residences and community health services that international students can benefit from,” it added.
However, the Canadian government department highlighted that education is a provincial/territorial responsibility.
“Provinces and territories agreed to a set of common standards that guide the designation, and revocation of designation, of educational institutions for the purpose of hosting international students,” it wrote.
The specific criteria for each province may differ. However, “in general”, learning institutions should have the “capacity” to provide students with a stable education and services aimed at protecting the experience and integrity of international students, IRCC said.
“A recognised institution would benefit from, for example, priority processing of study permits for applicants who plan to study at (the) institution. IRCC has consulted with DLIs, provinces and territories, and national education associations, and will use the feedback to refine the planned framework as we prepare to implement it in time for the fall 2024 semester,” said IRCC.
However, questions surrounding the safety of Indian students in Canada have risen after the diplomatic tussle between the two governments over the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This has led at least one university – York University in Toronto – to put out a statement reiterating the safety of Indian students in Canada, according to media reports.
On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that the Canadian government was investigating “credible allegations” of a “potential link” between the agents of the Government of India and the killing of Nijjar. Nijjar — a designated terrorist in India — was gunned down by unknown assailants outside a gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia on 18 June 2023.
The Government of India has rejected the allegations as “absurd and motivated”. The two sides expelled each other’s diplomats, while New Delhi sought ‘parity’ in diplomatic presence. Canada withdrew 41 diplomats and their dependents from India.
“We urge anyone struggling with mental health or other issues to seek out the support services available through their learning institution or elsewhere in their community, or by contacting the national hotline,” said IRCC.
Also read: Worried over fallout of shaky ties, Indian students keep a close watch on Canada developments