Effective immediately, the federal government is temporarily allowing international students who are working in essential industries to work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session. Previously, they were restricted to 20 hours a week.
This temporary measure will be in place until August 31, 2020.
A press release noted that “workers in certain roles and industries have been under considerable pressure” due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The essential industries that this change applies to are food services, health care, infrastructure, or the supply of any other critical goods.
The press release further noted that there are many international students who are in health care sectors will now be allowed to help meet the demand for health care created by the pandemic.
The Varsity has reached out to the Government of Canada for comment.
