Vancouver rally protests sudden termination of key English program

Dozens of students and instructors gathered at Vancouver Community College (VCC) Tuesday to protest the unexpected shutdown of the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program.

LINC, which has helped thousands of immigrants learn English, secure jobs, and work toward citizenship, is set to be terminated at the end of March due to federal funding cuts.

The move has left over 800 students without a clear path forward and more than 30 instructors without jobs.

“We found out just before winter break, and this was the first opportunity to get people together to raise spirits, because people have been really down.” said Frank Cosco, president of the VCC Faculty Association.

“When a program ends, you have to make a plan for the students, it’s not the students fault. So, how are the students going to continue? It’s very unprofessional,” Cosco added.

Cosco says they’re fighting to have funding reinstated for at least the next year to allow time for proper planning.

Alan, one of the many students who would be affected by the program closure, says it’s very important to study English.

“Because we are newcomers and preparing for citizenship. I can’t just stop now and find another school. It’s too hard to find another school at this time,” he said.

Federal NDP MP Jenny Kwan, who was at the rally, emphasized the importance of the program, noting its role in landing her father a job when he arrived in Canada.

“My dad took the English language training program here and secured employment afterwards. If he didn’t get the language training, he probably wouldn’t have secured the employment. Who knows where he would’ve been,” Kwan told The Leader Spirit.

VCC says it is advocating for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to continue funding the program to help keep it alive.

“VCC is committed to LINC programming and its importance to the college and the broader community. VCC will continue to work with the VCCFA and federal government to advocate for the IRCC to continue funding VCC’s historic LINC contract as part of key settlement services the federal government is responsible for,” said VCC spokesperson Charnelle McClure.

Meanwhile, IRCC tells 1130 NewsRadio that with fewer newcomers expected between 2025 and 2027, available resources have been adjusted accordingly, leading to a reduction in service providers.

“The amount of resources available for settlement services depends on how many newcomers are expected to arrive. Since fewer newcomers are expected in 2025-2027, available resources have been reduced to match this decrease, this has resulted in a reduction in service providers. CFP 2024 results were reviewed with consideration of a number of factors including the best possible value for money, availability of core Settlement and Resettlement services, and continued focus on high quality services to ensure the recommendations fit within available funding,” said IRCC in a statement.

“Federally-funded settlement services are often complemented by provincial and territorial programs. IRCC works closely with provincial and territorial officials to assess resource requirements and ensure that they are addressed. We will continue to work with our provincial and territorial partners to distribute settlement and resettlement resources based on where newcomers settle across Canada.”

Editor’s note: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified the affected students as international students. In fact, the program is designed to help Permanent Residents of Canada apply for citizenship.