We, the undersigned recent graduates, doctoral candidates, and workers, together with Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and immigrants, urgently demand immediate action to address the significant backlog and ongoing uncertainty in the BC Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) International Post‑Graduate (IPG) stream.

The IPG stream was an established pathway that formed the basis of our long-term plans to stay in British Columbia. Our career and settlement decisions were made in good faith, based on the stability of a program designed to retain the very talent BC's world-class universities cultivate.

However, sudden and unannounced cuts to provincial nomination allocations in 2025 abruptly halted this pathway, stranding hundreds of us—both those who had applied and those preparing to—in an administrative limbo. This has left us facing severe consequences:

• Indefinite Wait Times: Applicants face an endless limbo, with no clear timeline for their nomination.
• Expiring Work Permits: Our legal status is at risk as our Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) expire, threatening forced departure from Canada.
• Missed Opportunities: Unfortunately, we cannot apply for jobs that require PR status and use the skills gained during our stay at BC.

We are calling on our federal and provincial governments to implement a fair and immediate solution.

Our Demands

To the Government of Canada (IRCC):

1. Increase BC's PNP Allocation: Provide British Columbia with an increased nomination allocation sufficient to clear the existing backlog of IPG applicants who are already in the queue.
2. Issue Emergency Work Permit Extensions: Implement a special measure to extend the Post-Graduate Work Permits (PGWPs) for applicants on the BC PNP waitlist until a final decision is reached on their provincial nomination. Similar measures have been introduced in other provinces or territories, such as Alberta, Manitoba, and Yukon.

To the Government of British Columbia (BC PNP):

1. Clear the Backlog and Launch New Streams: Commit to a clear timeline to process and clear the entire backlog for the IPG stream and launch the promised new student streams by June 2026.
2. Provide Support for Status Maintenance: Issue official support for applicants' federal work permit extension applications during this backlog period. This will prevent the loss of legal status, employment disruptions, and forced departures caused by administrative delays beyond our control.

To restore trust and ensure accountability, we also urge the BC PNP to publish detailed monthly statistics on nominations issued (by stream), applications received, current inventory, and processing times.

We are researchers, engineers, and scientists who are committed to building our lives in British Columbia. We urge you to take immediate action and uphold Canada's promise to those who, in good faith, chose to make this province their home.

Please sign this petition to support a fair solution for BC's stranded international post-graduates.

For more information you can reach us at ipg.advocacy@gmail.com