Hub Podcasts Canada’s immigration policy must address the growing number of students who don’t speak English or French
Sep 2, 2025
Danella Aichele, a former teacher with the Calgary Board of Education, argues that Canada’s immigration policies must consider students who don’t speak English or French. She emphasizes the urgent need for educational support tailored to these newcomers for better integration. Aichele also discusses how collaboration between federal and provincial governments can improve ESL programs. Additionally, she critiques Canada’s diminishing role on the global stage, calling for a renewed focus on balancing its domestic policies with international responsibilities.
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Federal Targets Clash With School Capacity
- Ottawa sets ambitious immigration targets without considering classroom readiness, creating an integration blind spot.
- This mismatch strains resources and undermines integration outcomes for newcomers and their peers.
Language Gaps Are A Growing Classroom Reality
- Large numbers of children enter school without English or French, driving heavy demand for language programs.
- Teachers face a dual mandate to teach curriculum and basic language skills with too few resources.
Federalism Creates An Implementation Gap
- Under Canadian federalism, Ottawa controls numbers while provinces handle schooling, creating responsibility gaps.
- This separation leaves frontline educators to absorb costs and consequences of federal policy choices.