The impact of of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada's 2024-25 department plan, released about a year ago, are only now starting to become clear in cities across Canada.

Whether it's colleges in Vancouver, Lethbridge or Toronto, many federally funded English-language training programs are experiencing crushing funding cuts resulting in closures, layoffs and fewer classes available.

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At risk is the future of Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) - a federally funded program that has been running since 1992.

Instead of further cutting funding to LINC, the government should expand the programming in recognition that learning a language is about much more than acquiring a discrete set of skills.

The LINC program has 60 assessment sites across the country and has served roughly 50,000-60,000 learners per year.

Language learning programs expecting to receive the most significant cuts will be those focused on building employment skills and preparing learners for higher education.

Rather than the reducing barriers to newcomers' employment as promised, the changes will make it more difficult for newcomers to access the language learning programs needed for work and life.

The IRCC states "immigration is central to our future" and that its sustainable development strategy remains committed to addressing the barriers to employment and social belonging that newcomers face.

While not without critique, LINC classes have an important function beyond helping newcomers acquire language skills.

Through these programs, newcomers build confidence to be able to advocate for themselves, develop a sense of citizenship, contribute to values of equality, respect and rights and access resources essential for life in Canada. All of these contribute to one's sense of belonging.

There is strong evidence that learning in groups reduces isolation, loneliness and feelings of unbelonging, and increases sense of community and connection for immigrants.

Research shows that learning activities that have goals beyond developing practical language skills such as drama and poetry are opportunities to build a sense of community, empowerment and belonging to facilitate intercultural dialogue.

They also contribute to the development of learners' resilience and leadership.

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Canada is often portrayed as a tolerant and welcoming country, a stronghold of multiculturalism and multilingualism. Canada has made promises to build a nation that is economically, socially and culturally prosperous.

To make this promise sustainable, it is essential to continue addressing the complex needs of newcomers, especially by ensuring access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives.

IRCC's choice to cut funding is influenced by a short-term economic model that seems to forget that nearly 20 per cent of Canada's population are new permanent residents.

These residents should have access to learning offerings and intercultural socialization opportunities. These would ideally include offerings centred on critical conversations, discussions of shared experiences, visions for life in Canada and building allyships between new immigrants and long-time citizens. Such learning, socialization and relationship-building opportunities could be made accessible through LINC.

By reducing funding available for English-language classes, the federal government is denying thousands of people their fundamental right to education. The current budget cuts will inevitably contribute to growing social stratification and increase the challenges faced by the already overwhelmed immigration and educational sectors.

A recent statement by TESL Ontario, the certification body for educators who teach English as another language in Ontario, urges the Canadian government to consider impacts on language teachers who face precarious employment and low pay, a concern shared by unions across the public sector.

Language learning programs are foundational to ensuring sustainable settlement in Canada. A truly sustainable development strategy would see the continued funding of English-language programs as essential to ensuring the continued economic and societal well-being of all people living in Canada.