‘It’s very stressful’: With expenses high and wages low, many P.E.I. newcomers are struggling to get by

For Rupinder Kaur, the reality of life on Prince Eduardo island is very different from what he imagined when the past spring moved here.

Kaur is from India. Like many foreign workers in PEI, who moved here with postgraduate work permits after finishing their studies in other parts of Canada, Kaur hoped he had to settle for a low salary work.

What I did not expect was to have to work two jobs, seven days and 60 hours a week, just to cover their groceries and rent: $ 700 for a room in a four -bedroom house on the outskirts of Charlottetown.

“Initially, I just tried to work in [McDonalds]And then I realized that it is too expensive, and I cannot handle everything with a single job, “said Kaur, who also works in Dollama on weekends.

“Just try to administer everything within my monthly profits. As, do not try to go out for fun. Only every time, think about work, hard work, work, work, work.”

Kaur says that his financial stress is shared by the majority of his co -workers: the vast majority of them also in PEI of other countries, working on low -salaries, many companies say they cannot fill.

For her and for others, the goal is the same: work enough hours to qualify for one of the minor nominations for permanent residence of the PEI government.

“But in the minimum wage, it is very difficult,” he said. “It’s really difficult for everyone. As if they were physically, totally tired … but it’s just hope to continue surviving.”

Cost of living A fight for many: CBC-Poara survey

A recent CBC-Poara survey about the experience of newcomers in Canada highlights the financial difficulty facing many of them.

In total, 82 percent agreed that the cost of living in Canada is hindering the establishment in this country, and 49 percent said that the affordability of income or a mortgage is difficult.

Joe Byrne sees him firsthand in his work with the Cooper Institute, an organization that supports migrant workers in Pei

“There are many newcomers who work in low salaries,” said Byrne. “And although PEI can have one of the highest minimum wages in the region, wages are not high enough to make sure people can maintain a quality standard of living …

“People live in a two bedroom apartment with six adults, or a four -bedroom house with eight or nine adults.”

‘The most shocking when I came here’

Some international students in Pei say they are also feeling the financial pinch.

“That was the most shocking when I came here. I knew it would be expensive, but not so expensive,” said Saugat Shrestha, who moved to the island two years ago from Nepal to study on the island of the University of Prince Eduardo.

International students pay a higher registration than Canadian citizens, even in some cases until double.

Shrestha said only to cover his registration and monthly expenses, he has to work 15 hours a week in addition to being a full -time student.

You have to cut many things you like to do. You have to sacrifice something to survive here.– Saugat Shrestha

Many of his friends work 24 hours, the maximum number of hours of international students can work while studying in Canada.

“You have to cut many things you like to do. You have to sacrifice something to survive here,” said Shrestha, who works part -time at the UPEI International Student Office.

“Everyone is suffering. Many people used to have their own private room. They are now sharing a room with a friend. Many people use the food bank more.”

Upei student Sajid Oyon, who moved to the island from Bangladesh, believes that the federal government, schools and universities could do a better job to educate possible international students about the financial realities they will face, “only for Let them know reality before coming.

“I know that it is very difficult without the support of the parents to be here … it is quite impossible, I would say that now in this situation, managing studies and also renting registration rates.”

‘They are all blaming us’

Oyon says that the growing cost of living and housing challenges in PEI seem to be causing another problem for newcomers.

“They are all blaming us: ‘That’s why the economy is going down,” said Oyon, who is from Bangladesh.

“I have seen a lot of brown racism on the Internet … not to say: ‘I return to your country’. But it gives you mental pressure, as ‘I don’t belong here? Am I a burden for you?’ That kind of thing. “

Rupinder Kaur says fortunately, he has not experienced much of that racism.

Even so, given daily financial stress, long hours of work and concern about whether it will ever gain permanent residence, admits that your mental health has suffered.

Everything will be worth it if you can gain permanent residence (PR) and work for a life and a career in Canada, he said. She is not ready to think about what she will do if that does not happen.

“That is very difficult to answer. As, it is very stressful to handle everything together with the work. Every time I stress for obtaining public relations and handling expenses. It is very difficult,” he said.

Kaur plans to leave his job at McDonalds soon to start a new position in a child care center, hoping that he will give him a better opportunity for a nomination of permanent residence. She plans to continue working on weekends in Dollama too, so she has enough money to survive.

Byrne with the Cooper Institute does not believe it should be so.

He thinks that PEI’s minimum wage should be higher, and foreign workers better, so that employers and owners cannot take advantage of them when they desperately need work hours and housing.

“Getting a path to permanent residence while working and poor is difficult,” he said.

“If we want our economy to work, we have to make it more sustainable for people. And we know for all the figures that exist, if we do not support immigration in the province, we will not have a workforce. And we cannot sustain a workforce that continually We ask to live in poverty. ”