The huge rise in international students in Canada — most of them from Punjab, India — has become one of the biggest stories in the country. But most media outlets and political parties have framed it entirely as a housing issue.

They’re missing the point.

This is a story about the creation of a new, racialized underclass to do all of the work we don’t want to do. And it’s about the human wreckage that’s left in the wake after we’re done squeezing those people of every penny and every drop of sweat that we can.

Featured in this episode: Jaspreet Singh, Rupa Banerjee

To learn more:

“The International Student Boom Might Be Over” by Kuwarjeet Singh Arora in Baaz News

“How recruiters in India use false promises to lure students to Canada” by CBC’s Fifth Estate

“Canada’s open secret: International students are here to be exploited” by Kunal Chaudry in The Breach

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Sponsors: Douglas, Article

Additional music from Audio Network

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