International students who were denied post-graduation work permits recently held rallies across Alberta to call for answers regarding why their permits were denied. Students studying through Portage College’s partner institutions—Campbell College and the College Institute of Osteopathic Therapy—gathered in Calgary, Edmonton, and Lac la Biche. In Calgary, students held a hunger strike which was paused after community leaders spoke with them, while in Edmonton, students protested around the clock. Over 500 recent graduates traveled to Lac La Biche to gather on Portage’s campus and speak with Portage officials. “[T]he College has provided contact information for an independent immigration consultant on its PGWP information webpage,” said Portage Corporate Communications Manager Jaime Davies. An IRCC statement asserted that IRCC is processing applications fairly and consistently.
