Students of the International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC), one of the country’s biggest private English-language schools, are still processing the news that the institution is closed for good.
The Toronto-based language school made the announcement on its website on Friday, Sept. 18, stating that ILAC has filed for bankruptcy protection and is ceasing operations.
All classes and programming have been cancelled effective immediately, including at ILAC’s four Vancouver campuses.
ILAC
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“For more than 30 years, ILAC teachers and staff have helped generations of students build confidence and prepare for future success through award-winning programs,” wrote the school online. “Unfortunately, like many educational institutions, ILAC has faced increased financial challenges over the past three years due to significant regulatory changes affecting the sector.
“Throughout this period, we have done everything possible to ensure the school has the resources it needs to operate, while continuing to offer high-quality education to our students. Despite these best efforts, ILAC no longer has the financial resources necessary to continue operating.”
ILAC opened its first campus in 1997, and expanded to Vancouver in 2014.
ILAC
The school said it welcomed thousands of students from over 75 countries, and that it had partnership agreements with over 85 Canadian post-secondary institutions during its nearly 30-year history.
KPMG Inc. has been appointed as the Licensed Insolvency Trustee for ILAC.
“We understand and deeply regret the challenges our community will face because of this news,” added the language school.
“We are working closely with the relevant regulators to ensure students have the support they need during this difficult transition, and we are working to minimize impacts on our students, employees and partners where possible.”
ILAC
Many ILAC alumni shared their sadness about the institution’s closure on social media.
“As a former student of ILAC Toronto in 2005 and ILAC Vancouver 2006, it is very sad news to hear about the bankruptcy of such an amazing English institute,” said one former student.
“So much to thank ILAC for,” added another. “The knowledge gained here has led to countless good experiences in my life. Thank you so much.”
A Vancouver post-secondary institution that has produced thousands of professionals working in creative industries also recently closed its doors at its Terminal Avenue campus.
The Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) made the announcement on social media on Aug. 27, just one day before it marked its end as a private institute.
VanArts
However, the school also revealed that it will live on in a new form at Vancouver Community College (VCC).
VanArts thanked everyone who was part of its journey over the past three decades.
“To everyone who has been part of VanArts over the past 31 years — students, alumni, instructors, staff, industry partners and friends — thank you,” wrote VCC.
Several B.C. universities recently conducted layoffs of dozens of staff members due to financial pressures, including the University of the Fraser Valley and Kwantlen Polytechnic University.
Pauline Greaves, the president of the Langara Faculty Association, told Daily Hive in 2025 that whole programs in the humanities, English, and business could be lost.
Studio 58, Langara College’s professional theatre training program, announced this spring that its long-running Production Program was permanently suspended, with no plans to reopen intake.