Indian students in Canada: economic contributions and safety concerns

Sikh Vox reports that students from Punjab, India, studying in Canada make a substantial annual contribution of approximately Rs 68,000 crore ($8 billion) to the Canadian economy. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, a considerable proportion of Indian students, particularly those hailing from Punjab, choose to pursue educational courses in Canada. The collective enrollment of Punjabi students in Canadian educational institutions is estimated to be around 3.4 lakh.
Anuradha Aggarwal, HR at Oasis Immigration Company, asserts, “The current state of affairs warrants a nuanced examination beyond mere vitality, necessitating an evaluation of fundamental needs. Regrettably, there has been a disconcerting surge in targeted incidents against the Indian community and establishments within Canada since 2022. A lamentable series of events includes over a dozen temple desecrations, assaults on Indian businesses, and reports of extortion, precipitating a meeting between the South Asian business community and opposition leader John Rustad. Notably, the grievances extend beyond property damage, encompassing instances of fatal violence, such as the tragic demise of 21-year-old Kartik Vasudev, fatally shot near a metro station last year, and the untimely death of Harmandeep Kaur, a security guard assaulted with a rod by a Canadian national.”
These distressing occurrences transcend conventional criminality, manifesting as hate crimes, exemplified by the July incident wherein Gurvinder Nath, while delivering food, lost his life. The aftermath, marked by multiple suspects and the subsequent tragic demise of his mother, underscores the gravity of the situation. Indian students contributing to the Canadian workforce, be it through food delivery or ridesharing services, find themselves ensnared in a precarious environment where any untoward incident could befall them.
The recent targeting of three movie theaters screening Indian films in Toronto amplifies concerns, with masked intruders deploying a noxious substance, compelling an evacuation. Against this backdrop, a crucial inquiry emerges regarding the proactive measures undertaken by the Canadian government to address and rectify these distressing occurrences, casting a shadow over the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora in the country.