Hundreds of international students and temporary workers gathered at a community hall in Brampton, Ontario, on December 23 to discuss the cascading effects of recent immigration policy changes – notably Bill C-12 and fewer provincial nomination invitations – on their prospects of permanent residency. The meeting, live-streamed to audiences in Punjab, was organised by local advocacy groups after reports that dozens of Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) applications were returned without processing.
Speakers highlighted how the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) cohort, many of whom work in the trucking and hospitality sectors, face a narrowing window to accumulate Canadian experience before their status expires. Bill C-12 adds a new layer of uncertainty by giving Ottawa authority to “pause” future draws. Meanwhile, the extension of IRCC’s pause on Group-of-Five refugee sponsorships until 2026 has fuelled rumours – unsubstantiated but persistent – that economic streams could be next.
Amid the confusion, many applicants are seeking professionally curated guidance on visas, extensions, and travel documents. VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) consolidates the latest regulatory updates and offers step-by-step assistance for everything from work-permit renewals to visitor visas, helping newcomers avoid paperwork pitfalls while they map out longer-term plans such as OINP or Express Entry.
![Punjabi diaspora in Brampton mobilises as policy shifts threaten PR pathways]()
The stakes are high for Punjab-origin migrants: Statistics Canada data show they account for roughly 25 percent of new international students and an even greater share of recent Express Entry invitations. In Punjab itself, falling enrolments have already led to closures of IELTS coaching centres, illustrating how Canadian policy decisions reverberate globally.
Community leaders announced the formation of a task force to draft policy recommendations and to coordinate letter-writing campaigns aimed at senators studying Bill C-12. Virtual town-halls are planned for early January to provide legal clinics and mental-health resources.
For employers, the turmoil could exacerbate labour shortages in sectors that have come to rely on PGWP holders. HR departments are urged to explore bridging work-permit options and to support affected employees with legal counsel and pathway planning.
Speakers highlighted how the Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) cohort, many of whom work in the trucking and hospitality sectors, face a narrowing window to accumulate Canadian experience before their status expires. Bill C-12 adds a new layer of uncertainty by giving Ottawa authority to “pause” future draws. Meanwhile, the extension of IRCC’s pause on Group-of-Five refugee sponsorships until 2026 has fuelled rumours – unsubstantiated but persistent – that economic streams could be next.
Amid the confusion, many applicants are seeking professionally curated guidance on visas, extensions, and travel documents. VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) consolidates the latest regulatory updates and offers step-by-step assistance for everything from work-permit renewals to visitor visas, helping newcomers avoid paperwork pitfalls while they map out longer-term plans such as OINP or Express Entry.
The stakes are high for Punjab-origin migrants: Statistics Canada data show they account for roughly 25 percent of new international students and an even greater share of recent Express Entry invitations. In Punjab itself, falling enrolments have already led to closures of IELTS coaching centres, illustrating how Canadian policy decisions reverberate globally.
Community leaders announced the formation of a task force to draft policy recommendations and to coordinate letter-writing campaigns aimed at senators studying Bill C-12. Virtual town-halls are planned for early January to provide legal clinics and mental-health resources.
For employers, the turmoil could exacerbate labour shortages in sectors that have come to rely on PGWP holders. HR departments are urged to explore bridging work-permit options and to support affected employees with legal counsel and pathway planning.
