Two international students say a private B.C. college required them to campaign for federal Conservative candidate Tamara Jansen during a byelection in December 2024 — with threats that missing the work could affect their studies and immigration future.
Yanisa Kapetch, who came from Thailand to study digital media at Pacific Link College, told CBC News she was shocked when classroom lessons were replaced with campaigning. Emails reviewed by CBC News show students were directed to Jansen’s Langley campaign office and told to knock on doors, hang flyers, and submit photo proof of their participation.
A second student, who filed a formal complaint against the college, said they feared losing status in Canada and asked not to be identified. Both said they stopped attending after one day, questioning the relevance to their digital media coursework.
Emails from college staff suggested attendance was mandatory, with one administrator writing that such political volunteering could “benefit” permanent residency prospects. Immigration lawyers, however, say letters of recommendation from politicians have no bearing on permanent residency applications.
Pacific Link College denies the allegations, saying volunteer roles with community or political groups are optional and not tied to grades or attendance. Jansen’s office also said it was unaware of any involvement by the school, noting campaigns are typically managed by party staff.
The B.C. government said schools cannot compel students into activities unrelated to learning objectives. Enforcement tools include fines or licence suspensions.
One of the students has filed a tuition refund complaint of nearly $12,000 with the province’s Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit, citing poor education quality and mandatory political campaigning. The complaint is under review.
Advocates say the case highlights the vulnerability of international students, who may fear pushing back against institutions while hoping for pathways to permanent residency. Critics are urging Ottawa and B.C. to increase inspections of designated learning institutions to ensure international students receive the education they pay for, free of political pressure.
