On September 1, 2023, Languages Canada held a Leaders' Meeting on the margins of Alphe UK in London at Canada House on Trafalgar Square. The group of 25 attendees was composed of directors and CEOs from schools which together welcome nearly 50% of all students attending Languages Canada members to study English or French in any given year!

Despite extraordinary efforts to position the sector for full recovery in 2022, Languages Canada members reached only 65% of pre-pandemic student numbers and 73% of student week volume.

Eligible travellers from 13 more countries, including Thailand, Panama, Argentina and Costa Rica, now qualify for visa-free travel to Canada.

Save the date! Languages Canada announced this week that its 17^th Annual Conference will take place February 28 through March 2, 2024 at the beautiful Fairmont Hotel Vancouver in Vancouver, British Columbia.

As you are aware, many of Canada’s federal public servants went on strike on April 19. Given current public opinion and the political and economic climate of the country, Languages Canada is confident that a resolution will be reached soon and that the labour dispute will not cause an adverse impact on international students. However, we are concerned that inaccurate communications from government are impeding the public's understanding of the actual situation. The reality is that port of entry services continue as usual and that most visa processing is also uninterrupted. We encourage students to continue choosing Canada to pursue their English or French language studies.

With news of today’s start (Wednesday, April 19, 2023) of a federal public service strike, many international students planning to study English or French in Canada this summer may be wondering if and how their study permit or Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) applications will be impacted.

Languages Canada’s Director of International Affairs attended the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) conference in Bangkok, March 11-17,2023.

With nearly 200 participants from across Canada and the world, over 30 professional development sessions and two full days of valuable networking opportunities, the Languages Canada 16^th Annual Conference— February 22-25, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia—was, without a doubt, a resounding success.

Colombia was the fastest-growing market for the Canadian language education sector in 2021, making it an outstanding choice as the focus of Languages Canada’s first inbound trade mission and FAM tour of 2023. Nearly forty Colombians composed the delegation of agencies invited to Montreal and Toronto for a full week of activities this past month.

Languages Canada is thrilled to announce the Hon. Sean Fraser, Member of Parliament for Central Nova and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, as opening keynote speaker for the Languages Canada 16^th Annual Conference on Thursday, February 23, 2023, 10:00 a.m., at the Westin Nova Scotian in Halifax. Following the address, Languages Canada members will have the opportunity to attend a Q&A session with the Minister.

Languages Canada is pleased to announce the Hon. Lena Metlege Diab, KC, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, as special speaker for the Languages Canada 16^th Annual Conference Closing Reception on Friday, February 24, 2023, 6:30 p.m., at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax.

We are pleased to share some good news regarding Canada’s visa backlog situation.

Languages Canada held another successful Inbound Trade Mission and FAM Tour last week in Whistler, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Victoria BC, this time playing host to the largest delegation of Japanese education agents ever to visit Canada!

Languages Canada was honoured to receive the ST Star School Association award during the StudyTravel Star Awards 2022, held in London earlier this month.

While student numbers fell significantly, Canada's language education sector emerged from 2021 with optimism for recovery and growth into 2022. In fact, Canada gained global market share in the English Language Travel sector over the pandemic and experienced less decline in student numbers than competitor destinations.

Through the MOVA Initiative, Ukrainians making their journey to safety in Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel will have access to free or discounted English or French language courses, an integral part of successful integration in Canada.

The Languages Canada 15^th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting took place in Ottawa from March 27 to 30, 2022. Well over 100 delegates attended, including leaders from Canadian English and French language education programs as well as marketing and academic staff. Also in attendance to meet with public and private sector members were federal elected officials, provincial and federal government officials, NGOs, and other key influencers in the field of international education.

Languages Canada held an Inbound Trade Mission and FAM Tour with Mexican education agents from March 19 to 26, 2022. 32 Canadian institutions gathered at the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City, where they showcased their programs and services to an audience of decision-makers from more than 30 of Mexico’s top education agencies as well as the Secretariat of Education of the State of Mexico.

This year’s conference, taking place March 27-30 at the Westin Ottawa Hotel, will offer members a unique opportunity to engage with parliamentarians to discuss the future of Canada’s English and French language education sector.

Languages Canada held its first inbound trade mission with Brazilian education agents from January 17 to 21, 2022. Nearly 30 Languages Canada members representing all membership segments – English, French, private, public, colleges, and universities – as well as several CAPS-I (Canadian Association of Public Schools – International) members and mission sponsors Guard.me International Insurance, Desjardins and Air Canada gathered in Lake Louise, Alberta (both in person and virtually) to showcase their programs and services to an audience of over 30 representatives from Brazil’s top education agencies.