New Post Graduate Work Permit rules clarification

[GurinJaw]

They recently announced new rules for the PGWPP.
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/students.html#eligibility

There is a bit that isn't very clear:
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If you’re in this situation, you can begin your classes while outside Canada and

• complete 100% of your program online if
  • your program is between 8 and 12 months in length, and
  • you started your studies between May and September 2020

If you apply for your study permit before starting your program, any time spent studying online from outside Canada since spring 2020 now counts toward the length of a post graduation work permit. (Before, only the time spent studying online after you were approved for a study permit counted.)

You won’t have time deducted from the length of your post-graduation work permit for studies you complete outside Canada until April 30, 2021.
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My program is indeed 12 months, but is started on the 14th of September. Was September inclusive or exclusive in this new rule? Does it mean I am eligible to complete 100% of the program online and not have time deducted from my permit as long as I am affected by the travel restriction? Because by April 30 I would have completed 2/3rds of my program remotely outside of Canada if I was still unable to travel, which is over the 50% threshold that they mentioned for those who aren't eligible for this specific condition.

Thank you all for your time.

 

[primaprime]

I would guess inclusive since most schools start in September, not August.

 

[wonderbly]

The 50% threshold kinda fell away when they moved the cut-off date from Dec 2020 to April 30 2021. If by April 30 2021 borders are opened and free movement restored, you'll have to fly to canada to complete the few weeks left of your studies, to still qualify for PGWP.

That's how I understand it.

 

[GurinJaw]

The 50% threshold kinda fell away when they moved the cut-off date from Dec 2020 to April 30 2021. If by April 30 2021 borders are opened and free movement restored, you'll have to fly to canada to complete the few weeks left of your studies, to still qualify for PGWP.

That's how I understand it.

Thank you so much for the clarification! So if the travel restrictions are lifted off before April 30, I would have to travel to Canada before April 30 as soon as they're lifted? Or does that simply mean I am allowed to stay in my home country until April 30 even if the restrictions were lifted before then?

 

[wonderbly]

Thank you so much for the clarification! So if the travel restrictions are lifted off before April 30, I would have to travel to Canada before April 30 as soon as they're lifted? Or does that simply mean I am allowed to stay in my home country until April 30 even if the restrictions were lifted before then?

I would think you can stay in your home country till April 30.