Educators among dissenting voices as funding cuts coming to intermediate ESL courses

WATCH: Some are concerned that cuts to advanced English classes due to government immigration policies will cause language barriers. Damian Smith explains.

Intermediate-level English learners will now have less opportunities going forward, due to cuts from the federal government. The decision is sparking concern from those in involved in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) across the country.

According to the Canadian Learning Benchmark (CLB), the intermediate stage includes levels 5-8 - which slots below advanced stage courses from 9-12.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says it is prioritizing funding for services in the beginner stage (CLB 1-4), to “help newcomers integrate into their communities and the workforce, and to support their pathway to citizenship.”

The IRCC will also look to plan the investment of “approximately $1.2 billion to support the settlement needs of newcomers [outside of Quebec].”

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Organizations such as the Regina Open Door Society and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are just some providers of ESL courses in the province.

Funding for the CLB 5-8 classes will no longer be funded as of September 2026.

“At this time with the current immigration policies, what Canada is doing is handcuffing ourselves to a lack of being able to integrate and communicate and be safe in our communities,” said Gonzalo Peralta, the Executive Director of Languages Canada.

According to Languages Canada, 10 per cent of programs across the country have been closed since Jan. 1.

In 2019, the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan brought in $562 million through language services, which dropped down to $335 million in 2024.

ESL instructors also disagree with the cuts, while also thinking of those who would like to take their next step in Canadian citizenship.

“We owe it to them [the learners] to provide the skills and the services so that they can achieve their goals so that they can use their degrees,” said ESL instructor Cyndee Morehouse. “They can use their career experience, and they can go out and become part of the workforce in Canada, contributing in a valuable way.”

The types of citizens that may be affected include those with degrees from other countries, permanent residents that are looking to obtain Canadian citizenship and immigrant parents that may have children that have grown up in Canada.