‘I feel so sad’: English language programs cancelled in Alberta following federal funding cuts

We're learning more about the impacts of federal funding cuts to post-secondary schools for language programs designed for newcomers to Canada.

We’re learning more about the impacts of federal funding cuts to language courses designed for newcomers to Canada, with at least two post-secondary schools in Alberta closing their programs.

This week, staff at Lethbridge Polytechnic are learning how they’ll be affected once the school’s English Language Centre closes at the end of June, while Bow Valley College (BVC) in Calgary announced it was discontinuing its language programs at the end of April.

“I feel so sad,” said Evazali Saadat, who is in the language program at BVC, noting the negative impact this will have on students.

Saadat worked as a social researcher in Afghanistan before the Taliban forced him to flee to Canada a year ago.

BVC announced in late February it will discontinue its Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program at the end of the current term in April, due to funding cuts from Ottawa.

LINC programs are designed to develop English reading and writing skills for daily life and work.

“The difficult decision was made after Bow Valley College was informed by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) of significantly reduced funding for the program. The changes also removed funding for higher proficiency levels of language instruction,” the college said in a statement.

The move will impact 1,300 students and around 120 staff who work in the program, though the college is still working out what it means for employee positions.

Janice McCrimmon used to teach ESL at BVC and launched a petition on behalf of students who she says can’t speak for themselves, and former colleagues.

She hopes the college will reconsider keeping entry-level, lower courses, with funding from the federal government reduced for higher-level courses.

If they don’t, she hopes the province will intervene.

“I can’t stress how desperate the situation is right now,” she said. “They are one of the largest providers of ESL in the province, and if they close this program, it will be a huge loss to our community.”

Lethbridge Polytechnic is closing its English Language Centre in June, affecting 200 students and 20 staff.

“Previously, we have been supported by a five-year grant from IRCC, which we sought renewal of this year. We were denied, and only one year of funding was granted at a reduced rate to reflect the decreased language proficiency that is provided/required to newcomers. We believe this change will undermine the ability of newcomers to thrive, integrate and participate in Canada,” said Dr. Brad Donaldson, president and CEO.

IRCC said fewer newcomers are expected between 2025 and 2027, and as a result, resources have been reduced to match the decrease.

“Nationally, in 2024-25, IRCC plans to invest approximately $1.2 billion to support the settlement needs of newcomers (outside of Quebec), an increase of 4.2 per cent from the previous 2023-24 fiscal year,” it added in a statement.

Despite the reduction in expected newcomers, demand for LINC programs remains high in Alberta.

The Centre for Newcomers in Calgary is at capacity for its courses with 900 students and has another 900 on the waiting list.

“I’ve been working in the sector for 18 years, and this is probably the worst time in terms of the waiting list for the language classes,” said Charlie Wang, the centre’s interim CEO.

It’s discouraging to hear for students like Saadat, who can’t just sign up for a new course at a different institution.

He’ll have to be reassessed under the LINC program before he can be put on another wait list.