2 private colleges in B.C. ordered to refund international students

Canada’s recent federal election largely ignored the plight of international students, prompting advocates like Balraj Kahlon to highlight systemic issues within the education sector. Kahlon noted that international students, who pay significantly higher tuition, face struggles that political parties overlook because these issues do not influence voting behavior. In a troubling development, Pacific Link College and Granville College were ordered by the Private Training Institutions Branch to refund students who reported deceptive practices. Rupali, a student from India, shared her shocking experiences at Pacific Link College, where she found inadequate facilities and faced unexpected financial demands. After Kahlon's organization intervened, she was granted a partial refund of $7,887.

50. Similarly, Parminder Kaur's experience at Granville College revealed the absence of a Post Graduate Work Permit, critical for international students seeking Canadian work experience. These cases highlight a broader trend of exploitation in private colleges, raising alarms about the treatment of international students in Canada. The situation calls for urgent policy reforms to ensure better protections for this vulnerable demographic.