Languages Canada launched Joint Pathway Program

 

Notice to Students

There have been several recent cancellations of joint venture pathway programs due to changes in Canada immigration laws, changes to visa limits, abuse by international students, abuse by international education agents and abuse by private language & vocational education training schools.

We are hopeful that this pilot program can be expanded into a national program.

 We have to warn that there are still a few bad actors with a bad history of breaking the rules, breaking the law and cheating students.

ESL in Canada will publish good and bad results for this joint venture.

From Language Canada Website:

Languages Canada has officially launched the Ontario pilot phase of the Joint Pathway Program (JPP), marking an important milestone in the revival of compliant, sustainable language pathway programs in Canada.

The launch event brought together public colleges and accredited private language schools to formally initiate participation in the Joint Pathway Program. 

The umbrella MoUs formalize each institution’s participation in the JPP framework with Languages Canada, establishing governance, oversight, and coordination mechanisms for the pilot phase. 

A new model for language pathways

The Joint Pathway Program is a fully IRCC-compliant joint program model that allows accredited private language schools and public post-secondary institutions to collaborate within a single, integrated pathway. Students complete their language education across private and public partner institutions while remaining within one joint program framework and one study permit, leading to a single language credential and, subsequently, to a seamless transition into their chosen degree, diploma, or certificate program at the public partner.

The model responds to challenges in the language and international education sectors by improving compliance clarity, strengthening partnerships, and creating more predictable enrolment pipelines.

From pilot to national scale

The Ontario pilot is the first step in a broader national rollout. The JPP will be launched nationally at the Languages Canada Annual Conference, taking place March 11–14, 2026, in Calgary.

Canada's 2026 International Student Cap by Province

 During 2026 the IRCC expects to issue up to 408,000 study permits, including 155,000 to newly arriving international students, as outlined in the 2026–2028 Immigration Levels Plan, and 253,000 extensions for current and returning students. 

As of January 1, 2026, master’s and doctoral level students enrolled at a public designated learning institution (DLI) will not need to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) with their study permit application. 

This exemption is in recognition of their unique contributions to Canada’s economic growth and innovation, and will support our efforts to attract talent.

The following groups are exempt from the PAL/TAL requirement in 2026:master’s and doctoral degree students enrolled at public DLIs

 
primary and secondary (kindergarten to grade 12) students
certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts
existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same DLI and at the same level of study.

The number of study permits expected to be issued in 2026, broken down by student cohort, is as follows:

2026 national target (new arrivals and in-Canada extensions)
Master’s and doctoral students enrolling at public DLIs (PAL/TAL-exempt)	49,000
Primary and secondary school (kindergarten to grade 12) students (PAL/TAL-exempt)	115,000
Other PAL/TAL-exempt study permit applicants	64,000
PAL/TAL-required applicants	180,000
Total	408,000

In 2026, up to 180,000 study permits are expected to be issued to applicants who require a PAL/TAL. The target of 180,000 is distributed to provinces and territories based on their population.

Province or territory	2026 study permit target for PAL/TAL-required cohorts
Alberta	21,582
British Columbia	24,786
Manitoba	6,534
New Brunswick	3,726
Newfoundland and Labrador	2,358
Northwest Territories	198
Nova Scotia	4,680
Nunavut	180
Ontario	70,074
Prince Edward Island	774
Quebec	39,474
Saskatchewan	5,436
Yukon	198
Total	180,000

The following allocations have been assigned based on each jurisdiction’s average study permit application approval rate from 2024 and 2025:

Province or territory	2026 allocations for all PAL/TAL-required applications
Alberta	32,271
British Columbia	32,596
Manitoba	11,196
New Brunswick	8,004
Newfoundland and Labrador	5,507
Northwest Territories	785
Nova Scotia	8,480
NunavutFootnote1	0
Ontario	104,780
Prince Edward Island	1,376
Quebec	93,069
Saskatchewan	11,349
Yukon	257
Total	309,670

A total of 309,670 study permit application spaces will be available under the cap for 2026. This represents the maximum number of study permit applications IRCC will accept for processing from PAL/TAL-required students for the calendar year.

About the National Occupational Classification

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the national reference for occupations in Canada.

It provides a systematic classification structure that categorizes the entire range of occupational activity in Canada for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating occupational data for labour market information and employment-related program administration.

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 is based on a five-tiered hierarchical structure. The first level contains 10 broad occupational categories, the second level is made up of 45 major groups, the third level consists of 89 sub-major groups, the fourth level gathers 162 minor groups, and the last level comprises 516 unit groups.

Occupational information is of critical importance for the provision of labour market and career intelligence, skills development, occupational forecasting, labour supply and demand analysis, employment equity, and numerous other programs and services.

Link to About NOC

NOC Structure for PSW HSW 44101

4 Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

44 Care providers and public protection support occupations

441 Home care provider occupations

4410 Home care provider occupations

44101 – Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations

Home support workers, caregivers and related occupations, provide personal care and companionship for seniors, persons with disabilities and convalescent clients.

They provide care in the client's residence, where they may also reside. They are employed by home care and support agencies, private households, or they may be self-employed.

Example titles

Attendant for persons with disabilities - home care

Family caregiver

Home support worker

Live-in caregiver - seniors

Personal aide - home support

Personal care attendant - home care

Respite worker - home support

Inclusions

Doula

Main Duties: some or all of the following duties

Provide care and companionship for individuals and families during periods of incapacitation, convalescence or family disruption

Administer bedside and personal care to clients such as aid in ambulation, bathing, personal hygiene, and dressing and undressing

Plan and prepare meals and special diets, and feed or assist in feeding clients

May perform routine health-related duties such as changing non-sterile dressings, assisting in the administration of medications and collecting specimens under the general direction of home care agency supervisor or nurse

May perform routine housekeeping duties such as laundry, washing dishes and making beds.

Link to NOC 44101 PSW HSW

Education in Canada is Managed by Province

In BC the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills administers the Private Training Act and associated regulations. 

Over 60,000 students enroll in private training institutions in B.C. each year. Students are trained for a broad range of occupations from sound and audio technicians to licensed practical nurses to commercial pilots.

The sector is regulated by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU), which is responsible for:

Ensuring institutions meet the requirements and standards for certification
Maintaining a Private Training Institution (PTI) Directory of all certified institutions, along with formerly certified institutions
Providing student protection and overseeing the Student Tuition Protection Fund

Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit
310-601 Cordova St W
Vancouver BC V6B 1G1
Canada

Local: 604-569-0033
Toll-free: 1-800-661-7441
Fax: 778-945-0606

Email: PTI@gov.bc.ca

Student support inquiries: PTI.StudentSupport@gov.bc.ca

Language Education Excerpts from the Policy Manual

https://www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/sites/www.privatetraininginstitutions.gov.bc.ca/files/files/policy-manual.pdf#page=8

Examples of programs that do not require approval

 • A career-related program at a registered institution for which tuition is less than $4,000

 • A career-related program at a designated institution for which tuition is less than $1,000

 • A language program at a designated institution that is no more than six months and less than $4,000

 • Any language program at a registered institution

 • A commercial driving instruction program

Programs that require approval 

Programs requiring approval from the registrar fall into three categories: 

Class A: 

Career-related programs with 40 or more hours of instruction, for which tuition is at least $4,000. 

A career-related program is defined as a program that has the purpose of enhancing students’ employability or ability to carry out a career occupation. 

Class B: 

Career-related programs at designated/interim designated institutions, other than Class A programs, for which tuition is at least $1,000. 

Class C: 

Language programs at designated/interim designated institutions that are longer than six months or for which tuition is at least $4,000. A language program is defined as a program that has as its learning objective that students gain or improve proficiency in a language.

Canada Designated Learning Institutions by Province

Designated Learning Institutions in Northwest Territories and Yukon Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Nova Scotia Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in New Brunswick Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Prince Edward Island Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Ontario Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Manitoba Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Saskatchewan Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in Alberta Canada

Designated Learning Institutions in British Columbia Canada

New DLI Regulations and Penalties Proposed

Designated Learning Institutions in Northwest Territories and Yukon Canada

Name of institution	Designated learning institution number (DLI #)	City	Campuses	Offers PGWP-eligible programs
Alkan Air Ltd.	O259417724532	Whitehorse	Whitehorse	Yes
Aurora College	O19348462392	Fort Smith	Thebacha Campus	Yes
Aurora College	O19348462392	Inuvik	Aurora Campus	Yes
Aurora College	O19348462392	Yellowknife	Yellowknife/North Slave Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Carcross	Carcross Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Carmacks	Carmacks Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Dawson City	Dawson City Tr’odëk Hätr’unohtän Zho Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Faro	Faro Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Haines Junction	Haines Junction Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Mayo	Mayo Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Old Crow	Old Crow Alice Frost Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Pelly Crossing	Pelly Crossing Hets’edän Kú’Learning House Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Ross River	Ross River Dene Cho Kê’endj Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Teslin	Teslin Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Watson Lake	Watson Lake Community Campus	Yes
Yukon University	O19604209351	Whitehorse	Ayamdigut Campus	Yes

Designated Learning Institutions in Newfoundland and Labrador Canada

Name of institution	Designated learning institution number (DLI #)	City	Campuses	Offers PGWP-eligible programs
Academy Canada	O19441333188	Corner Brook	Corner Brook	No
Academy Canada	O19441333188	St. John’s	St. John’s	No
Centre for Nursing Studies	O19441089096	St. John’s	St. John’s	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Baie Verte	Baie Verte Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Bonavista	Bonavista Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Burin Bay Arm	Burin Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Carbonear	Carbonear Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Clarenville	Clarenville Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Conception Bay South	Seal Cove Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Cornerbrook	Cornerbrook Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Gander	Gander Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Grand Falls-Windsor	Grand Falls-Windsor Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Happy Valley-Goose Bay	Happy Valley-Goose Bay Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Labrador City	Labrador West Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Placentia	Placentia Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Port aux Basques	Port aux Basques Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	St. Anthony	St. Anthony Campus	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	St. John’s	Prince Philip Drive	Yes
College of the North Atlantic	O19441088976	Stephenville	Bay St. George Campus	Yes
Eastern Academy	O278103348412	St. John’s	St. John’s	No
Gander Flight Training (Exploits Valley Air Service)	O19441196787	Gander	Gander	Yes
Keyin College (Advanced Educational Systems Inc.)	O19441207179	St. John’s, Bay Roberts	St. John’s, Bay Roberts	No
Keyin College (Future First Inc.)	O19441276742	Gander	Gander	No
Keyin College (Future First Inc.)	O19441276742	Grand Falls-Windsor	Grand Falls-Windsor	No
Keyin College Western Campus	O257888013712	Stephenville	Stephenville	No
Memorial University of Newfoundland	O19440995346	Corner Brook	Grenfell Campus	Yes
Memorial University of Newfoundland	O19440995346	St. John’s	Fisheries and Marine Institute Campus, St. John’s Campus	Yes
Queen’s College	O19441168228	St. John’s	St. John’s	Yes
Western Regional School of Nursing	O19441148519	Corner Brook	Corner Brook	Yes

Designated Learning Institutions in Nova Scotia Canada

Name of institution	Designated learning institution number (DLI #)	City	Campuses	Offers PGWP-eligible programs
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency	O157882398622	Halifax	Halifax	No
Oxford International College Halifax	O267638647882	Halifax	Halifax	No
Academy of Cosmetology	O214965234137	Dartmouth	Dartmouth	No
Academy of Learning Career College (Halifax)	O111596476281	Halifax	Halifax	No
Acadia University	O19391556792	Wolfville	Wolfville	Yes
Acadia University: English Language Centre	O19391556981	Wolfville	Wolfville	No
Apex Language and Career College	O19330669492	Halifax	Halifax	No
Atlantic Flight Attendant Academy	O136991020372	Halifax	Halifax	No
Atlantic School of Theology	O19391556837	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
Canadian College of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine	O250138504947	Halifax	Halifax	No
Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy	O111416612697	Halifax	Halifax	No
Cape Breton Language Centre	O19210055012	Sydney	Cape Breton University	No
Cape Breton University	O19391556824	Sydney	Sydney	Yes
CBBC Career College Inc	O137691023352	Sydney	Halifax, Sydney	No
Canadian Language Learning College (CLLC)	O19209875232	Halifax	Halifax	No
CPA Atlantic School of Business Association	O214966777617	Halifax	Halifax	No
Da Vinci College of Arts and Design	O19331278712	Lower Sackville	Lower Sackville	No
Dalhousie University	O19209939282	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
Dalhousie University ESL Programs	O19091594822	Halifax	Halifax	No
Oxford International Language College Halifax	O19130326522	Halifax	Halifax	No
Eastern College (Halifax)	O19391556993	Halifax	Halifax	No
Elevate Beauty Institute of Cosmetology	O139340859112	New Minas	New Minas	No
Atlantic Canada Language Academy	O19210345642	Lunenburg	Lunenburg	No
Halifax Language Institute of Canada	O19091611322	Halifax	Halifax	No
ICT Northumberland College	O115158695747	Halifax	Halifax	No
International Language Institute	O19126582122	Halifax	Halifax	No
Island Career Academy	O19370893142	Sydney	Sydney	No
Maritime Business College	O19391557015	Dartmouth	Dartmouth	No
Maritime Environmental Training Institute (METI)	O112783108317	Sydney	Sydney	No
Medavie HealthEd	O19353075272	Dartmouth	Dartmouth	No
Mount Saint Vincent University	O19301947442	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education	O19353105672	Halifax	Halifax	No
Nova Scotia Community College	O19091820452	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
Nova Scotia Fire Fighters School	O19391557060	Waverley	Waverley	No
NSCAD University (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design)	O19021269652	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
Saint Mary’s University	O19021279692	Halifax	Halifax	Yes
St. Francis Xavier University	O19391556899	Antigonish	Antigonish	Yes
Success College of Applied Arts and Technology	O19391557027	Lower Sackville	Lower Sackville	No
Université Sainte-Anne	O19391556726	Church Point	Church Point	Yes
University of King’s College	O19391556768	Halifax	Halifax	Yes

Designated Learning Institutions in New Brunswick Canada

Name of institution	Designated learning institution number (DLI #)	City	Campuses	Offers PGWP-eligible programs
Atlantic College of Applied Health Sciences	O281687091502	Fredericton	Fredericton	No
Atlantic Business College	O19273824102	Fredericton	Atlantic Business College	No
New Brunswick Indigenous Career College (NBICC)	O149304273602	Richicbucto Road	Richicbucto Road	No
East Coast Trades College	O259056599482	Fredericton	Fredericton	No
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)	O19391556654	Bathurst	Campus de Bathurst	Yes
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)	O19391556654	Campbellton	Campus de Campbellton	Yes
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)	O19391556654	Dieppe	Campus de Dieppe	Yes
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)	O19391556654	Edmundston	Campus d’Edmundston	Yes
Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB)	O19391556654	Shippagan	Campus de la Péninsule acadienne	Yes
Crandall University	O19391275763	Sussex	Sussex	Yes
Crandall University	O19391275763	Moncton	Moncton	Yes
Eastern College	O112937696097	Saint John	Saint John Campus	No
Eastern College	O112937696097	Fredericton	Fredericton Campus	No
Eastern College	O112937696097	Moncton	Moncton Campus	No
Kingswood University	O19348776942	Sussex	Sussex	Yes
Maritime College of Forest Technology	O19391276070	Bathurst	Bathurst Campus (French)	Yes
Maritime College of Forest Technology	O19391276070	Fredericton	Fredericton Campus (English)	Yes
McKenzie College	O19391275539	Moncton	Moncton	No
McKenzie College Language Learning Centre	O246774185777	Moncton	Moncton	No
Moncton Flight College	O19274437002	Dieppe	Moncton Campus	Yes
Moncton Flight College	O19274437002	Fredericton	Fredericton Campus	Yes
Mount Allison University	O19273922302	Sackville	Sackville	Yes
New Brunswick Bible Institute Inc.	O111394075331	Victoria Corner	Victoria Corner	Yes
New Brunswick College of Craft and Design	O19391556333	Fredericton	Fredericton	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	Fredericton	NBCC - Fredericton	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	Miramichi	NBCC - Miramichi	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	Moncton	NBCC - Moncton	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	Saint John	NBCC – Saint John	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	St. Andrews	NBCC - St. Andrews	Yes
New Brunswick Community College (NBCC)	O19391556439	Woodstock	NBCC - Woodstock	Yes
Northeast Christian College	O19352105132	Fredericton	Fredericton	No
Oulton College	O19391275785	Moncton	Moncton	No
St. Thomas University	O19391556376	Fredericton	Fredericton	Yes
Université de Moncton	O19391556532	Edmundston	Campus d’Edmunsdston	Yes
Université de Moncton	O19391556532	Moncton	Campus de Moncton	Yes
Université de Moncton	O19391556532	Shippagan	Campus de Shippagan	Yes
University of New Brunswick	O19348802512	Fredericton	UNB – Fredericton	Yes
University of New Brunswick	O19348802512	Saint John	UNB – Saint John	Yes

Designated Learning Institutions in Prince Edward Island Canada

Name of institution	Designated learning institution number (DLI #)	City	Campuses	Offers PGWP-eligible programs
Great Wisdom Institute of Advanced Buddhist Learning	O275896907902	Vernon Bridge Brudenell	Uigg Campus Brudenell Campus	No
Academy of Learning – PEI	O19220171562	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	No
Collège de l’Île	O19220114112	Charlottetown	Centre de formation Charlottetown	Yes
Collège de l’Île	O19220114112	DeBlois	Centre de formation DeBlois	Yes
Collège de l’Île	O19220114112	Wellington	Main Campus	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Alberton	West Prince Campus	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Charlottetown	Prince of Wales Campus	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Georgetown	Georgetown Centre	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Montague	Montague Centre	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	O’Leary	O’Leary Centre	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Slemon Park	Atlantic Police Academy	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Souris	Souris Site	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Summerside	Summerside,	Yes
Holland College	O19220082122	Tignish	Dalton Centre	Yes
Institute of Advanced Learning	O19220185032	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	No
Marguerite Connolly Training and Consulting	O19220652372	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	No
Moonlight International Academy	O19220127182	Little Sands	Little Sands	No
Study Abroad Canada Language Institute	O19225872992	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	No
University of Prince Edward Island	O19220071452	Charlottetown	Charlottetown	Yes