LINC program cuts force Calgary settlement agency to lay off instructors and trim classes
Calgary agency lays off 40+ staff as LINC program cuts tied to federal settlement funding reductions end higher-level English classes.
The Immigrant Education Society in Calgary laid off more than 40 employees, mostly language instructors, after a roughly 15 per cent reduction in its budget for the current fiscal year.
The move, announced after staffing reductions in March, is part of broader LINC program cuts that have forced the agency to cancel classes and place thousands of learners on a waitlist.
Calgary agency lays off more than 40 staff
The Immigrant Education Society (TIES) said more than 40 positions were eliminated in March, primarily affecting instructors who teach Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC).
Agency leaders described the loss as significant, noting the organization’s waitlist now tops more than 2,000 people seeking services.
TIES reported that the budget reduction — approximately 15 per cent for this fiscal year — required immediate operational changes, including the cancellation of 26 classes as of April 1.
Staff and management said the cuts have already reduced the agency’s capacity to deliver higher-level language training that many newcomers rely on to access professional employment.
Higher-level LINC classes to be eliminated in September
TIES confirmed that, starting in September, all LINC classes above Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) Level 4 will be discontinued under the current funding plan.
That change is expected to affect roughly 500 students who are currently enrolled in intermediate and advanced classes.
A home-study program that served about 160 learners will be scaled back to about 20 available spots, agency officials said.
Program managers warned that eliminating advanced instruction will create bottlenecks for newcomers aiming to move from basic communication skills into employment-ready language proficiency.
Federal settlement funding falling under 2026–28 plan
Federal settlement funding outside Quebec dropped from about $1.17 billion in 2024–25 to $1.12 billion in 2025–26, and is projected to fall to about $935.7 million in 2026–27 and $895 million in 2027–28.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) attributes the decline to the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, which reduces overall admissions and shifts toward economic-class newcomers who historically use settlement services less intensively.
IRCC has characterized the adjustments as a reallocation of resources intended to prioritize long-term sustainability, but local settlement providers say the timing leaves existing newcomers with fewer supports.
TIES and other agencies argue that even with lower admissions, demand for language and integration services remains strong among people already living in Canada.
Newcomers describe barriers to work and community life
Learners in TIES LINC classes say losing access to higher-level instruction would hinder their ability to secure meaningful employment.
One student with professional experience abroad said he needs advanced English to translate his skills into Canadian job prospects, and that limited language ability has already constrained his job search.
Another newcomer, who arrived in Canada seeking safety and opportunity, said English fluency is essential for moving from entry-level roles into positions that better reflect her skills.
Students described a pattern: they can begin to communicate at CLB Level 4, but still lack the language complexity required for professions such as health care, engineering or skilled trades.
Program managers warn of long-term integration setbacks
TIES leadership and language program managers cautioned that cutting advanced LINC instruction will slow economic integration and create a cycle that is hard to break.
They said employers often expect candidates to have strong communication skills and the inability to access free training will leave many newcomers unable to meet those requirements.
Managers also pointed to the practical barrier that fee-based alternatives are often unaffordable for newcomers who are unemployed or underemployed.
Without affordable pathways to higher CLB levels, agencies fear more newcomers will be trapped in low-paying work and miss opportunities to contribute fully to the local economy.
Community alternatives and library drop-in sessions expand access
As agencies reduce formal programming, community institutions such as the Calgary Public Library have stepped up with volunteer-led drop-in English practice sessions across the city.
Library staff say these sessions — offered at multiple branches and not requiring registration — provide a steady, low-barrier place for newcomers to practice conversational English and access resources.
Participants at the library’s central branch described relying on drop-in groups, mobile apps and self-study after finding formal programs unaffordable or oversubscribed.
Library organizers report rising attendance and emphasize that community-based options can help bridge gaps, though they are not a direct substitute for structured, advanced LINC instruction.
Local service designers and settlement advocates are calling for new funding models and donor support to prevent further erosion of language training capacity.
They say sustained investment in advanced language training is necessary to help newcomers secure skilled jobs and integrate more quickly into Canadian workplaces.
The cuts to the LINC program in Calgary underscore a wider policy shift that officials say reflects different immigration priorities, but frontline organizations and learners warn that the human cost will be felt in reduced employment opportunities and slower integration.
