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Hundreds of livelihoods are at stake as the  English as a Second Language program (known as the School of Global Access) at Bow Valley College in Calgary, AB, faces imminent closure. 

Over 1,300  ESL students will find themselves without a place to continue learning, while 1,000 newcomers remain on the waitlist. As a result of the closure, over 120 dedicated instructors plus staff will lose their jobs, at a time of economic decline and uncertainty. 

The ESL program is dependent on funding from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  Under the previous Trudeau-led government, the IRCC budget experienced deep cuts. Unable to fully fund the existing ESL program, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC), the IRCC made the decision to offer reduced funding for only the lower level classes to ESL providers across the country.

Rather than accept this partial funding and keep the ESL program open, Bow Valley College made the short-sighted decision to shutter the doors of the entire program by April 23, 2025.  

Bow Valley College has a mandate from the Ministry of Advanced Education of the Government of Alberta to meet the needs of the community, and to specifically offer ESL education. The decision to close the School of Global Access completely disregards Bow Valley College’s mandate, and was made without sufficient consultation of community, staff, students, or policy makers. 

This is a devastating setback for the newcomers enrolled in the program, many of whom have waited months to secure a seat. They, along with their families, depend on ESL training to successfully integrate into Canadian life, and they are counting on Bow Valley College to do this. 

Moreover, the closure of the School of Global Access (SGA) signifies the abrupt end of decades of contributions by talented ESL professionals in the industry. Renowned for its work at the provincial, national, and international levels, the SGA at BVC has played a crucial role in advancing teaching practices and methodologies in the field of ESL education. The loss of this extensive collective expertise is both troubling and avoidable. 

The instructors have been told by the college that they will be denied severance if they contact the media or engage in public advocacy. Day in and day out, they remain dedicated, pouring their heart and effort into supporting their students, while not permitted to advocate for themselves. 

Please sign our petition and support our appeal to the Minister of Advanced Education of Alberta, Ms. Rajan Sawhney. We call on the Minister to exert influence on Bow Valley College to reverse its decision to close the School of Global Access, and hold the College accountable to its mandate to provide this vital community service to the City of Calgary and Central Alberta. 

Reversing the decision to close the School of Global Access would reaffirm Bow Valley College’s commitment to its community and its core values. This is a chance to strengthen the college’s legacy as a leader in education while continuing to transform lives through opportunity and inclusion.

Access to ESL education is a valued right in Canada; let's ensure it remains a pillar of support in our community.

Visit www.standupforesl.ca for more information and ways to show your support.  

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The School of Global Access (SGA) at Bow Valley College in Calgary is closing soon. This school helps people new to Canada learn English. If it closes, over 1,300 students will lose their classes, and 1,000 more students on the waitlist will not get a chance to study. Over 120 teachers and staff will also lose their jobs.

The government gave less money to programs like this, and now there is not enough to keep the school open. Bow Valley College decided to close the whole program instead of keeping some classes open. This decision hurts students and their families, who need English classes to find jobs and build better lives in Canada.

The School of Global Access has also helped improve English teaching in Canada and around the world. Losing this school is a big loss for everyone.

We ask the Minister of Advanced Education, Ms. Rajan Sawhney, to help keep the school open. Please sign this petition to show your support for saving the SGA at Bow Valley College.

Visit www.standupforesl.ca to learn more and find more ways to help.