Vancouver Protest Targets Cuts to Newcomer English Language Program Amid Immigration Reductions

On Tuesday, over 100 protesters rallied at Vancouver Community College’s (VCC) East Broadway campus to voice their opposition to the federal government’s decision to cut the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. The move comes amid broader federal plans to reduce immigration levels over the next three years, significantly impacting settlement services in British Columbia.

Impact on Newcomers

The LINC program, which provides English language classes to immigrants and refugees, is set to lose funding as of April 1, 2024. Protesters say the decision will disproportionately affect vulnerable newcomers who rely on language skills to access jobs, education, and essential services.

"The government is abandoning the very people who come here seeking opportunity and hope," said Katie Nguyen, a LINC student originally from Vietnam. "This decision undermines the values of inclusivity and diversity that define our nation."

Nguyen, who planned to complete Level 8 of the program to advance her career, said the cuts would leave her educational goals in limbo.

College and Staff Concerns

The cuts will affect approximately 800 students at VCC and have already led to 30 layoff notices for faculty and staff, according to Frank Cosco, president of the VCC Faculty Association.

"It’s a very unprofessional, un-Canadian way to treat students," said Cosco. "LINC has been a foundational program at the college for decades."

Cosco added that the program’s closure could harm VCC’s enrolment pipeline, as LINC historically brought in over 1,000 students annually.

Federal Response and Immigration Policy

A spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said the cuts are tied to a planned reduction in immigration levels, with permanent resident admissions dropping from 500,000 in 2024 to 365,000 by 2027.

"The amount of resources available for settlement services depends on how many newcomers are expected to arrive," the spokesperson said.

Despite the cuts, the IRCC said it plans to invest $1.2 billion in settlement supports across Canada in 2024 and 2025, with $155.6 million allocated to B.C., about a third of which has historically gone to language training.

Protesters Call for Action

Protesters, including Maureen Kelbert, leader of VCC’s LINC programs, criticized the abrupt nature of the cuts, arguing that they leave current students without adequate support.

"If it was a gradual cut, I could understand that because they are cutting immigration numbers," said Kelbert. "But these are students who are here right now and they need support right now."

VCC faculty and students are urging the federal government to reconsider the decision, warning of long-term consequences for newcomers and the community.

Nguyen, like many others, remains hopeful but concerned. "These programs are about giving people a chance. Without them, so many of us will be left behind."