Hey there! You might have heard worrying news—that Ontario’s public colleges are laying off staff and slashing programs at record rates. Let’s walk through what’s going on, why it matters, and what’s being done.
Table of Contents
What Happened? The Layoff Facts
In July 2025, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) reported that nearly 10,000 faculty and support staff have been laid off or face imminent cuts across 24 public colleges in the province. That makes this one of Ontario’s largest-ever mass layoffs.
- Roughly 8,000 jobs were confirmed by mid‑June 2025, with projections approaching 10,000 once all colleges submit data.
- At the same time, over 600 programs have been suspended or cancelled across 23 of 24 institutions.
- Four college campuses have either closed or announced permanent closures.
Table: Layoffs & Program Cuts by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total staff layoffs (projected) | ~10,000 |
| Confirmed cuts (by June 2025) | ~8,000 |
| Programs suspended or canceled | Over 600 |
| Colleges reporting cuts | 19 of 24 (staff), 23 of 24 (programs) |
Why Is This Happening?
The Federal Student Cap Disruption
Early in 2024, the federal government imposed a cap on international student permits, resulting in a 48% decline in first‑semester international enrolment between September 2023 and September 2024 across most Ontario colleges.
International students had been accounting for up to 32% of college revenues, making this sudden drop catastrophic.
Chronic Underfunding & Tuition Freeze
Ontario colleges rely heavily on international tuition because domestic tuition rates are frozen, and government funding per student is among the lowest in Canada.
Unions and advocacy groups like the Ontario Universities & Colleges Coalition (OUCC) argue that provincial underfunding over years has left institutions highly vulnerable in the face of any revenue shock.
Impact Across the Sector
Employment and Campus Effects
- Staff cuts span academic, administrative, and support roles—full/part‑time faculty, sessional instructors, librarians, maintenance and more .
- Institutional morale is low; early retirements are being offered, but many staff face job insecurity.
- Executive pay remains high despite austerity: college presidents made an average of $492,000 in 2024, with some topping $636,000 —raising questions about leadership priorities during layoffs Global News.
Academic & Student Experience
- With programs trimmed, students—both domestic and international—have fewer choices.
- Campus diversity declines as enrollment of international students shrinks, affecting the global learning community.
- Some programs tied to Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility have been popular with international students; loss of PGWP access has reduced demand, reinforcing the enrollment collapse Immigration News Canada.
Local Community & Economy Impact
International students contribute via housing, local services, and part-time jobs. Regions hosting colleges (e.g. Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins) feel economic strain from the enrollment drop.
Triggers and Timeline
Key Timeline of Events
- January 2024: Federal cap on international student permits takes effect.
- September 2023–September 2024: International first-semester enrollment down ~48%.
- Early 2025: Program suspension and campus closure decisions begin.
- June–July 2025: Staff layoffs confirmed; unions warn total will reach ~10,000.
What Are Colleges Doing to Respond?
Internal Measures
- Program restructuring: Suspending low-demand programs, especially those with few international students.
- Staff adjustments: Early retirements, contract reductions, reassignment —trying to minimize outright layoffs where possible.
- Campus consolidation or closure: Four campuses have closed or announced closures in response to financial pressures .
Advocacy and Funding Appeals
- Unions (OPSEU, OCUFA) and the OUCC call for emergency funding of $1.4 billion to stabilize the system Oakville .
- Institutions are lobbying to lift the domestic tuition freeze, restore PGWP eligibility for more programs, and shift away from overreliance on international student fees Immigration News Canada.
Diversification Strategies
- Developing online or hybrid programming.
- Partnering with industry for specialized skill training.
- Targeting domestic recruitment to offset losses from international revenue.
Examining the Key Players
OPSEU’s Role
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (representing ~55,000 college workers) has sounded the alarm, describing the layoffs as “one of the largest in Ontario’s history.” They highlight the collapse in international enrolment and argue for urgent funding interventions.
Arbitration Findings & Legal Background
An arbitrated contract report, authored by William Kaplan, detailed that 19 colleges reported over 8,000 current or planned layoffs and more than 650 program closures, attributing the core cause to the student cap policy..
Government & College Sector Perspectives
- The Ontario provincial government points to federal policy as the catalyst.
- College leadership emphasizes there were budget surpluses earlier (e.g. Conestoga’s over‑$100 million surplus in 2023‑24) but now face structural issues under enrollment collapse..
Outlook & Potential Solutions
Policy Pathways
- Allow modest domestic tuition increases to generate new revenue.
- Restore PGWP eligibility for key college programs to make Canada competitive again Immigration News Canada.
- Increase base funding to colleges to stabilize them long term.
- Streamline visa and immigration pathways to attract more international students.
- Diversify program offerings aligned with labour market trends (e.g. green tech, AI) Immigration News Canada.
Longer-Term Implications
- Can Ontario reclaim its position as a top destination for international students?
- Will colleges modernize financial models to withstand future shocks?
- How will these changes impact access to higher education, particularly in underserved regions?
Local College Snapshots
Mohawk College (Hamilton)
- Laid off dozens of roles in late 2024—about 65 jobs in administration and faculty due to low international enrolment.
- Notably, this followed a time when Mohawk still had over 1,800 international students among 30,000 full-time enrolments..
Fleming College (Peterborough)
- Announced cutting nearly 30 programs in 2024 due to student visa caps, aligning with the broader sector cuts..
Algonquin College
- Closed its Perth campus and axed 41 programs in early 2025 due to projected budget deficits tied to enrollment drops..
Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie)
- Expected a 63% drop in international enrollment in 2024.
- Budget and planning changes reflected that, with program disruptions and staff adjustments.
Why You Should Care
For Students & Families
- Program availability is shrinking—if you’re enrolling or applying, your choices may be more limited.
- Quality of education and campus experience could be impacted by staff shortages or program changes.
For Staff & Educators
- Unionized workers face job losses; non-unionized staff must navigate severance rights and job market shocks.
- Consider consulting with legal or career support services to assess entitlements if laid off.
For Communities & Employers
- Local economies lose spending, skilled-student participation, and workforce pipelines.
- Employers relying on graduates from affected programs may face labor gaps.
What’s Next?
- Tracking the numbers: As colleges finish reporting, the final layoff tally should soon be confirmed. OPSEU expects close to 10,000 jobs impacted.
- Policy shifts? Advocacy is mounting—both the federal and provincial governments are under pressure to act.
- Adaptations underway: Schools are exploring new revenue sources, academic partnerships, and program innovation.
Conclusion
In short, Ontario’s college system is undergoing a major upheaval: nearly 10,000 jobs impacted, 600+ programs suspended, and campuses closing—all triggered by a dramatic drop in international student enrolment due to federal caps and low domestic funding. The crisis deepens an existing problem of funding fragility created by frozen domestic tuition and over-reliance on international tuition.
If you’re directly affected—whether as a student, educator, or community member—stay informed. Watch for updates from your institution, local unions, and advocacy groups. And consider adding your voice: reach out to provincial representatives, support union or student actions, and demand sustainable solutions for post-secondary education.
Stay engaged. Stay informed. Act now to help shape a resilient future for Ontario’s colleges.