Ontario Colleges Face Largest Mass Layoffs in History: 10,000 Faculty and Staff Let Go

A devastating crisis is unfolding in Ontario's college system, with over 10,000 faculty and staff being laid off, and more than 600 programs suspended or cancelled. This staggering number accounts for nearly one-sixth of the workforce, leaving behind a trail of shattered lives and communities. The crisis is being fueled by a combination of factors, including a sharp decline in international student enrolment, allegations of institutional mismanagement, and a tuition freeze that has been in place for six years. The layoff figures, made public for the first time, reveal the extent of the financial crisis facing the college system, which has seen a precipitous drop in international student enrolment since the introduction of a cap in 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Over 10,000 college faculty and staff have been let go, accounting for nearly one-sixth of the workforce, with more than 600 programs suspended or cancelled.
• The layoffs and program cuts have affected both urban and rural communities and nearly every discipline, including business, engineering, and nursing.
• The crisis is being fueled by a decline in international student enrolment, allegations of institutional mismanagement, and a tuition freeze that has been in place for six years.
• Ontario's colleges previously employed around 60,000 faculty and staff, with the layoffs cutting roughly one-sixth of the workforce.
• The number of international students in Ontario's colleges has dropped sharply since the introduction of a cap and changes to post-graduation work eligibility in 2024.
• The school's overhaul of its study permit program was designed to curb the unchecked growth of international students who pay more tuition.
• An earlier Star analysis revealed that the number of people with vice-president or dean in their titles increased 54 per cent at Ontario colleges between 2014 and 2022.
• OPSEU/SEFPO president JP Hornick has dubbed the crisis "this is a manufactured crisis" and "a system that has deliberately been starved of funding while management classes expand and their salaries explode and supports are not there for the students who need them".
• Hornick added that "this is also about the future of local, rural and northern economies" as the Ontario college system was designed to be community-based.

Statistics:

• 10,000 faculty and staff have been laid off.
• 10.4% of the total workforce cut to one-sixth of the workforce (5400 / 60,000) 60,000 previous total workforce.
• 54% increase in vice-president or dean positions from 2014 to 2022.
• International student enrollment declined by 342% between 2012 and 2021.
• International student enrollment dropped sharply since the introduction of a cap and changes to post-graduation work eligibility in 2024.
• $2 billion in new funding for Ontario's colleges and universities in the last 14 months.
• $5 billion put into the sector every year.
• 14 months of new funding for Ontario's colleges and universities.

Sources:

• OPSEU/SEFPO president JP Hornick
• Graham Lloyd, CEO of the College Employer Council
• Ministry of Colleges and Universities
• Bianca Giacoboni, press secretary to Minister Nolan Quinn
• The Star analysis of the provincial salary database of public employees going back to 2014
• An earlier Star analysis revealed the number of people with vice-president or dean in their titles increased 54% at Ontario colleges between 2014 and 2022.