The International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC), one of the country’s largest private English-language schools, has ceased operations after filing for bankruptcy protection, leaving students and education partners facing uncertainty.
ILAC announced on September 18 that it was ending operations immediately, saying it no longer had the financial resources required to continue running its programs. The school operated campuses in Toronto and Vancouver and served international students through English-language programs as well as other education offerings.
The sudden closure means classes and programming have been cancelled. Students who were already enrolled, as well as those who had planned to begin their studies in the coming weeks, are now seeking information about their next steps, including alternative study options and the status of tuition payments.
ILAC has said it is working with regulators and other organizations to support students during the transition. KPMG has been appointed as the insolvency trustee overseeing the bankruptcy proceedings.
The closure comes at a difficult time for Canada’s international education and language-school sector. The industry has faced significant changes in recent years, including federal measures affecting international student numbers and changes to immigration and study-permit policies. These changes have contributed to lower enrolment at some private educational institutions.
Languages Canada, an industry association representing language education providers, described ILAC’s sudden closure as a major shock to the sector. The organization said it is assessing the situation and working to support affected students.
The organization also operates an Education Completion Assurance Plan, known as eCAP, which is designed to help eligible students continue their studies at another Languages Canada member school when a participating institution closes unexpectedly. Under the program, students may be placed in a comparable program without paying additional tuition, subject to the program’s conditions and available capacity.
ILAC was established in 1997 and became a well-known destination for international students seeking English-language education in Canada. Its campuses in Toronto and Vancouver attracted students from a range of countries and offered programs designed for different levels of English proficiency.
The closure also follows the shutdown of several other language-education operations in Canada and internationally. Languages Canada said the sector has experienced multiple closures in recent years, highlighting the financial pressures facing language schools and the need for greater stability within the industry.
For students affected by the ILAC closure, the immediate priorities include determining whether they can transfer to another institution, understanding the status of prepaid tuition and confirming how the closure could affect their individual study arrangements.
Authorities and education organizations are expected to provide additional information as the bankruptcy process moves forward. Students have been advised to follow official communications from ILAC, the insolvency trustee and relevant education authorities for updates regarding their programs and financial claims.
The full financial circumstances behind the bankruptcy will become clearer as the insolvency proceedings continue.