I’m an international student. How does a strike affect my student visa?
Are there any classes for international students that will continue during a strike?
Will my English Academic Preparation (EAP) courses be cancelled during a strike?
Will I still receive my graduate student funding during a strike?
I’m a graduate student (or postdoctoral fellow). Can my research continue?
I’m a graduate student (or postdoctoral fellow). Can I access my office during a strike?
I am a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. May I access my on-campus research lab and/or research space?
In the event of a strike, will PhD exams and thesis defences go ahead?
I’m a research assistant/post-doctoral researcher. Will I still get paid during a strike?

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I’m an international student. How does a strike affect my student visa?

A student visa is subject to the terms and conditions of the signed agreement unless otherwise changed by the visa office. It will depend on the duration of any possible strike as to whether you may need to contact extend your visa. Please visit the Immigration and Citizenship Canada website for more information.

If you have questions about your status in Canada during a strike, please contact the International Student Office at isostu@upei.ca

Are there any classes for international students that will continue during a strike?

All classes, labs, tutorials, etc. will be paused during a strike. The only classes that will continue are English Academic Preparation (EAP) classes, which are non-credit and are not taught by UPEI FA members.

Will my English Academic Preparation (EAP) courses be cancelled during a strike?

No. EAP courses are non-credit and will not be affected by a strike because EAP instructors are in a different union than Faculty members. This means that if the UPEI Faculty Association goes on strike, your EAP courses will not be cancelled.

Will I still receive my graduate student funding during a strike? 

Graduate students who are currently funded and paid regularly will continue to receive their funding up until their normal funding end date.

I’m a graduate student (or postdoctoral fellow). Can my research continue?

Yes. During a UPEI Faculty Association (UPEI FA) strike, any research at UPEI that does not involve members of this bargaining unit is expected to proceed.

Graduate students will be permitted access to all campus facilities and, as a general rule, thesis-based graduate students are expected to continue conducting their research in situations where they have already received training and in which the faculty supervisor is not needed for supervision. The default supervisor for any graduate student will be the Dean (or Associate Dean) of the Faculty, or other designated member outside of the FA bargaining unit, e.g., Faculty of Business has an MBA manager and coordinator who are not part of the UPEI FA.

Graduate courses taught by a member of the UPEI FA will not continue during a strike, nor will meetings of supervisory committees or thesis defences where members belong to the UPEI FA. The same goes for undergraduate research students working on existing projects where they have already received training. Research can continue as long as there are no issues regarding safety or need for direction from a UPEI FA member. Thesis defences will not take place during a strike.

I’m a graduate student (or postdoctoral fellow). Can I access my office during a strike?

Yes. If you currently have individual access to your office, you will continue to be able to access those spaces.

I am a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. May I access my on-campus research lab and/or research space?

Yes. Graduate students will be permitted access to all campus facilities and, as a general rule, thesis-based graduate students are expected to continue conducting their research in situations where they have already received training and in which the faculty supervisor is not needed for supervision.

The same goes for undergraduate research students working on existing projects where they have already received training. Research can continue as long as there are no issues regarding safety or need for direction from a UPEI FA member.

In the event of a strike, will PhD exams and thesis defences go ahead?

No. PhD comprehensive exams and oral thesis defences, which normally require the participation of UPEI FA members, will be paused in the event of a strike. Dates would be rescheduled as soon as possible when job action ends.

I’m a research assistant/post-doctoral researcher. Will I still get paid during a strike?

Yes. Any research assistants/students who are paid automatically from research accounts will continue to get paid. If the striking UPEI FA member normally approves time sheets, the new Account Authority (Dean or Associate Dean) will approve the hours.

During a strike, post-doctoral researchers employed at UPEI will continue to be paid up until the normal end date of their contract.