Because Indian agents handle the majority of the paperwork, many kids and their parents are unfamiliar with Canadian laws and regulations.
Toronto: With new Indian students increasingly becoming victims of legal illiteracy in Canada, the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) is raising the issue with the Immigration Minister to remedy the issue.
“Rampant ignorance among Indian students about Canadian laws is costing these students and Indo-Canadians heavily,” says Murarilal Thapliyal, head of the oldest Indo-Canadian organization.
Students are dying in car accidents and drowning in ponds because they do not understand or follow local rules.
They are suffering from depression, and some have committed suicide because they have no one to turn to.”
Because Indian agents handle the majority of the paperwork, many kids and their parents are unfamiliar with Canadian laws and regulations.
“The Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce is urging the immigration minister to include an acknowledgment form with student admission forms.”
“Indian students and their parents who come to Canada must sign an acknowledgment form stating that they have read basic Canadian laws and understand the consequences of their violation,” explains Murarilal.
This recognition, he believes, should be required for entrance into Canadian institutions.
“We want all Canadian colleges to open counters at airports to provide these students with post-landing services.”
“Each student must receive a 10-page booklet about Canadian laws and rules—do’s and don’ts in public places, the consequences of breaking traffic rules and failing to pay rent, emergency numbers in case they feel unsafe or have stress issues, and NGO and consulate phone numbers,” adds the ICCC president.
“Any student found later violating this acknowledgment should be shown no leniency and deported,” he argues.
Murarilal, a lawyer by profession, expresses concern about an increase in the number of incidents of Indian students failing to pay rent and neglecting to vacate properties.
“This has created a great deal of resentment in our community towards these students.”