Ontario: Inflation in Canada is currently at its highest level in a decade. This has added in the woes of students going from Punjab. This is the first time since 1980 that inflation has crossed the 7 per cent mark.
Food articles have become costlier by 10.8 per cent in August 2022 as compared to August 2021. The room rent has also doubled there. Last year, where the rent of two bedrooms was between $ 1100-1200, now it has reached $ 2500.
The single room used to be available for $ 800-900 last year, is currently available for $ 1500-1600. The situation is such that hundreds of students of Punjab have to survive by staying in gurdwaras and eating langar.
Increasing number of students in gurdwaras
Harvinder Ruby, an office-bearer of the committee managing two gurdwaras in Brampton, said rent and inflation have made things difficult for students. Around 3,500 people come to our two gurdwaras a day to eat langar, of which more than half are students.
“We also giving rooms to students for a few days. If anyone needs financial help, we do that too. It is not that there is a shortage of work in Canada, but more than one million people need workers in different sectors. Many students are working in two shifts to cover their expenses,” he said.
Increase in student spending
The cost of students’ room rent has increased by $ 400-500 per month. In addition, there has been an increase of $ 150 on transport, $ 200 on vehicles/ mobiles and $ 150-300 on food items.
According to the information, the monthly expenditure of each student has increased from 800 to 900 rupees, which is 50 to 55 thousand rupees a month in Indian rupees.
Inflation rate in Canada in 5 years
Year by year
2017 2.1 percent
2018 2.5 percent
2019 1.4 percent
2020 2.4 percent
2021 1.0 percent
2022 5.1 percent
June 2022 8.1 percent
July 2022 7.6 percent
August 2022 7.3 percent