CBSA launches crackdown on student protesters demanding to remain in Canada

Canada Border Services Agency officers showed up at a Calgary protest last week where temporary foreign students with expired or expiring study permits had gathered to demand the right to remain in the country. According to reports, CBSA officers checked attendees’ immigration do***ents on site, and some protesters were handed notices to appear for hearings.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently addressed the issue of expiring student permits directly, saying those who are done studying are welcome to leave the country. Sheila noted the irony of demonstrators gathering in one location, which made it easier for officials to identify and serve those with lapsed status.

“Thanks for putting yourselves all in one place, it makes it real easy for the officials to give you notices to appear,” she said.

Meanwhile in Ontario last week, Premier Doug Ford announced a new regulation closing a loophole that allowed people living in the country illegally — including those on expired student visas, work permits, and visitor or tourist status — to collect social ***istance through Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Ford said on social media that taxpayer-funded ***istance was never meant to support people living in Ontario illegally, and as of now, it no longer does.

Taxpayer-funded social ***istance was never meant to support people living in Ontario illegally. As of today, it doesn’t. https://t.co/ZzAl0KGQZ0

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) August 13, 2026

The announcement comes as Ontario continues to absorb nearly half of all immigrants arriving in Canada, with most settling in the Greater Toronto Area, straining local social services.

Separately, it has been reported that temporary foreign workers can receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) for children who do not reside in Canada, even in cases where an asylum claim has been rejected but is under appeal.