News Release - Canada and New Brunswick announce new student pilot project

FREDERICTON, March 18, 2004 — Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and Peter Mesheau, Minister of Business New Brunswick, today announced a two-year pilot project that will allow international students to work off campus.

“I am pleased that Canada and New Brunswick enjoy such a positive and cooperative relationship on immigration matters,” said Minister Sgro. “The pilot project on international students will improve the global competitiveness of New Brunswick’s post-secondary academic institutions,” she added.

“New Brunswick post-secondary institutions will be made even more attractive to international students if they have the opportunity to make money while in school and gain some experience in the Canadian labour market,” said Minister Mesheau. “The new ideas, talents and cultures that international students bring with them enrich campus life at every institution they attend.”

Under the pilot project, full-time international students will be able to apply for an open work permit if they have completed one year of study at a participating public college or university in New Brunswick. They will be permitted to work off campus for up to 20 hours a week while they are registered as full-time students. Full-time international students in Canada are currently only allowed to work on the campus of the institution at which they are registered, except in Manitoba, which has a similar pilot project in place.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) will issue work permits to eligible international students for a period of up to one year at a time. Business New Brunswick will ensure the pilot project is implemented in a consistent manner throughout the province. New Brunswick’s publicly funded post-secondary institutions have agreed to monitor student compliance with the project guidelines. Business New Brunswick will act in an advisory capacity and facilitate communications with CIC.

For more information (media only):

Simone Mac Andrew
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 954-1064

Claire Despins
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
(613) 941-7035

Sarah Ketcheson
Communications
Business New Brunswick
(506) 444-4983

Visit the Business New Brunswick website.

Backgrounder:

• Canada–New Brunswick Off-Campus Work Agreement for International Students