So it stands to reason, if demand is not decreasing, those students must go somewhere. I would say that it’s a very sad day for the UK language providers who have invested millions of pounds promoting programmes to have these [visa] changes come…[which will curtail enrolments for private schools]. And the government did not seem to consult the sector; it does not seem to consider the complete picture.

This is harmful not just for the UK but it’s harmful for everybody in the sector around the globe.

The PIE: Why do you think that?

GP: I think that because it’s obvious that our governments speak and it’s important for governments to communicate and collaborate.  I think we all fear around the world because if the British government has enacted changes that hamper its own industry, what’s to stop others?

From one day to the next, the Canadian government decided to impose visa restrictions on Mexico

And essentially this same thing has happened in the past in Canada. From one day to the next, the Canadian government decided to impose visa restrictions on Mexico – this is not acceptable and it can not function that way.

The PIE: I guess the main difference is that Canada is not concerned about migration in the way that the UK is, is that right to say?
GP: I  think our approach to immigrants is slightly different but the basic concerns are still there. Canada receives 250,000-300,000 new Canadians every year. So we are concerned, immigrants are our future. Our position at LC has always been why can’t language and education providers be an integral part of the solution for that [quality migration stream] and not considered as something apart.

The PIE: There is a difference between good migration and bad migration and the two have been muddied a bit in the UK…
GP: I believe they have and it’s unfortunate. I believe in a sense this [revised UK visa policy] is a reactionary move and it’s reacting to something as opposed to making a strategic decision for the well-being of a nation. Definitely, it has a negative impact on the sector.

What needs to happen from a sectoral perspective is we need to form our alliances, through efforts like GAELA and FELCA and also through other efforts to strengthen the position of the sector so that it is valued and consulted as required.