English language programs gets $145,200

By Dan Hilborn
Published Aug 20,. 2005


The office that provides English Language Training for Adults, a program for new immigrants to Canada, will receive $154,200 from the provincial government this year.

The Burnaby English Language Centre, operated by Hal Klein and Associates, first received the government contract to operate the service two years ago, after the government put out a call for proposals to provide immigrant settlement and English language services.

"As Burnaby is home to many immigrants whose mother tongue is not English, it is important we make them feel welcome and provide them with access to English language instruction," Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney said in a press release issued Monday morning.

Contacted at his office, Nuraney said he is confident that new immigrants in Burnaby will receive the services they need to fit into Canadian society.

"What they've done is asked for bids from competitive providers and they've chosen what they call the best of the best," the B.C. Liberal MLA said. "More important, really, is that the end user is not shortchanged and everybody gets the service they deserve to get."

The current funding announcement was described as being part of a $1.6-million province-wide commitment, taken from a $19-million budget allocated for English language training and information and support services for immigrants this year.

The contract was allocated through an "arms-length, transparent and open Request-For-Proposals," said the press release.

While government sources indicate the Burnaby English Language Centre received a total of $904,800 last year, Nuraney said he is confident that much of that money was for other programs. "I don't think there is a reduction."

The Burnaby NOW was unable to contact a representative of Hal Klein and Associates prior to deadline.