Canada calling: Indian students face acute unemployment amid affordability crisis; desis in Calgary could tilt political scales

International students coming to Canada not only bear the burden of high tuition fees – over five times what local Canadian students pay – but also have to invest a minimum of $10,000 in a mandatory Guaranteed Investment Certificate, which is gradually reimbursed over time.

Baliyan explained further, “We are expected to start working immediately upon arrival in Canada. Representatives also assure us that plentiful job opportunities exist in Canada and that we will not only recover our expenses but also be able to send money home. This isn’t the reality.”

Baliyan, who moved to Canada in January this year, emphasises that the scarcity of jobs, coupled with soaring housing and food costs, have exacerbated the situation.

“Landlords are arbitrarily raising rents, even threatening eviction if we fail to pay increased amounts. Beds are renting for 800 dollars a pop in overcrowded accommodations. Some students have been forced to rely on food banks,” said Baliyan.

Callers on local desi talk radio shows frequently criticise the government for not regulating post-secondary education, alleging that international students are being exploited without adequate affordable accommodation being provided in return. Canada is projected to welcome 753,000 international students this year, an increase from 550,000 last year. These students contribute about 25 billion dollars annually to the economy.

This surge in international students coincides with Canada’s efforts to curb inflation through a mild recession, which unfortunately has worsened the situation.

“When I was in India, I used to watch inspiring videos from Indian students on YouTube and Reels, projecting how good everything here is. But of late even the content that is coming up is depressing,” added Baliyan.

North East Calgary: The rising South Asian hub gains political traction

Brampton, Ontario, and Surrey, British Columbia, are typically the cities associated with the Indian diaspora in Canada. They have permeated the Punjabi consciousness so thoroughly – through movies, songs and literature – that they are considered extensions of Punjab as well as integral parts of Canada.

However, the narrative of the Indo-Canadian community extends beyond these two cities. Owing to factors such as a booming economy and relative affordability, Calgary, specifically the northeastern part of Canada’s third-largest city proper, has emerged as a prominent South Asian hub over the past decade. This area is expected to play a crucial role in the forthcoming Alberta provincial elections on May 29.

Rishi Nagar, a Calgary-based broadcaster and host of a popular Punjabi radio talk show, recently posited in a CBC column that North East Calgary could be crucial in determining the next ruling party, be it the current United Conservative Party or the New Democratic Party.

“Navigating through North East Calgary, you encounter numerous South Asians,” said Nagar, News Director at Red FM Calgary. “A significant number of new immigrants are arriving from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, primarily within the skilled category.”

However, these immigrants are expressing discontent with the incumbent government.

“These skilled workers possess language proficiency and education, but their credentials often go unrecognised in Canada, leading them to accept low-paying jobs. Given that the NDP is viewed as a progressive blue-collar party, many are likely to vote for the NDP in the upcoming elections,” stated Nagar. He added that while North East Calgary might not completely tip the scales this time, its political influence is poised to grow in future elections.

This shift is already evident. The incumbent mayor of Calgary is Punjabi, Jyoti Gondek. Her predecessor, Naheed Nenshi, an Ismaili of Gujarati origin, was the first Muslim mayor of a large North American city.

Moreover, the mayor of Alberta’s capital, Edmonton, Amarjeet Sohi, is also of Punjabi descent.

“Calgary’s relative affordability, cheaper housing compared to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the Greater Vancouver Area (GVA), is attracting a substantial number of Desi newcomers. This includes both new immigrants and those migrating from the GTA and GVA. Consequently, immigration and interprovincial migration could gradually shift historically conservative Calgary – and Alberta – towards a more progressive political stance,” added Nagar.

(Daksh Panwar is an Ontario-based journalist and broadcaster. Twitter: @Daksh280)