The College of New Caledonia (CNC) has recently recommended the closure of several programs offered at the college, including English Language Programs (ENLA) for new Canadians.
Since a public meeting on Feb. 10, The Citizen has heard from multiple students and supporters about what the possible closure will mean for them.
One of those supporters is Prince George Share Hope's Eva Gillis, who works with displaced Ukrainians and has, in the past, recommended the CNC ENLA course for newcomers looking to learn English. Gillis emphasized that this course is essential for teaching English in Prince George and that a gap will be left if the program is closed.
“Their teachers are excellent,” said Gillis. “Their program is top-notch. We've had a number of Ukrainians go through the four levels, and they were able to get better jobs. We’ve got several doctors here, and they're studying away like mad while they also have to work. That’s the other thing with the program: It’s a two-year program. If they go straight through, they’re either going to work evenings, or one of the spouses has to work while the other one goes to school. I can’t even begin to tell you how important it is.”
Gillis also spoke about how the closure of the program personally disappointed her as someone who works closely with newcomers to our country.
“We're a multicultural country,” said Gillis. “A tapestry of all the people from Germany, Ireland, France, and England — everybody came over here and settled our country. That’s who we’re made up of. Now, we’re going to be arrogant and say we’re not going to teach people who are fleeing from their country, looking for safety, and need to learn the language to be able to stay? We’re not like the United States of America. We’re Canada.”
New Canadians will be the most affected by this closure, as these programs are more than just a way to learn English; they can be a path to advancing careers, becoming permanent residents, and making important connections.
One international student, Kelly-Jiyeon Park, who is in ENLA Level 2, said she may be unable to continue her life in Canada without these classes.
“I am a study permit holder for the two-year ENLA program,” said Park. “If the program is suddenly discontinued like this, my study permit will no longer be valid, which will create issues for my stay in Canada. Moreover, my child has just started making friends and enjoying life in Prince George, but I cannot bring myself to tell them that we can no longer stay and must return home. As an international student paying high tuition fees, I am unable to focus on my studies due to this abrupt notice of termination. Additionally, I have signed contracts for housing, a vehicle, and telecommunications based on a two-year stay, which means I will incur penalties if I have to transfer to another school or move to a different area. Furthermore, if I am forced to return to Korea without receiving further academic English education, it will be difficult for me to achieve the goals I had originally planned.”
Another student, Nelya Nyuhova, a refugee from Ukraine, is looking after another student attending ENLA courses.
“It is very important for my people,” said Nyuhova. “In Canada, there are people who want to be equal because Canada is a country of immigration. We could have chosen Germany, where the government pays 500 euros for each person in the family and provides housing. But we did not choose that offer because we want to work and have more than 500 euros for each person in our family. We want to live our lifestyle. These are people who came to Canada not because we were poor in our country, but because of war, and only because of that reason.”
Nyuhova is a Level 4 student who will be graduating in April before the programs close; however, the student she is caring for is only in Level 3 and will not be able to finish her education if these programs close.
CNC has recommended that students consider transferring to the Immigrant and Multicultural Services Society in Prince George (IMSS) to continue their education. However, students have expressed concerns that this level of education will not be enough.
One of these students is Ismail, a Syrian refugee, who expressed that while IMSS is good for learning basic English skills to get by in Canada, the English skills required for higher education or learning trades are not available in Prince George unless offered at CNC.
Ismail also told The Citizen that another primary reason he is learning English at CNC is to be able to translate for his son with autism at doctor's visits without the assistance of a translator.
Wendelin Schwab, the chair of the education council at CNC, also spoke with The Citizen and shared his opinion on the reasons behind the closures.
“I think the college has no choice,” said Schwab. “Honestly, this entire mess is caused by the federal government. Typically, educational institutions in Canada have had a great deal of freedom to do what we wish, but the federal government is telling us we can only accept a certain number of international students. Saying you can only accept international students to the program, et cetera, et cetera, is essentially throwing a metaphorical hand grenade in the middle of the college. Then you have to deal with the fallout.”
Schwab also said that while he personally disagrees with the closure due to decisions made by the federal government, they are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
“Honestly, I am disappointed and frustrated whenever any program comes to the education council for closure,” said Schwab. “If I had my way, we wouldn’t be doing any of this. It’s not our choice. It’s the federal government that’s decided on our behalf, whether we want it or not. They suspended the Associate of Arts English program a couple of months ago, and as an English instructor, I was very disappointed to see that. At the same time, there’s not much we can do about these program closures.
“There’s going to be great upheaval at the college, and this isn’t just at CNC. This is happening all across Canada. The federal government has essentially kneecapped all of post-secondary education with help from the provinces, as they haven’t been funding post-secondary education the way they should for the past 20 to 30 years. So this isn’t our choice, but we have to make hard decisions, unfortunately. If the board decides to cancel ENLA, I don’t agree with it, and I will be recommending to the board that we don’t do that. But at the same time, I do understand it.”
The CNC board of directors will be meeting on Feb. 28 to discuss the future of these programs.
