Ontario Colleges Face Largest Mass Layoffs in Province's History: Over 10,000 Faculty and Staff Impacted

Strategic Insights -

More than 10,000 college faculty and staff in Ontario have been let go and over 600 programs suspended or cancelled over the past year, marking one of the largest mass layoffs in the province's history. The layoffs and program cuts have affected nearly every discipline, from business and engineering to culinary arts and forest management, with Centennial College suspending a high of 124 programs. The union representing faculty and staff, OPSEU/SEFPO, had to "fight tooth and nail" to get the figures, which were made public for the first time in an arbitrated faculty contract award.

Key Takeaways:

  • The layoffs and program cuts have affected over 10,000 college faculty and staff in Ontario, with the union representing them, OPSEU/SEFPO, describing it as one of the largest mass layoffs in the province's history.
  • The layoffs have impacted nearly every discipline, from business and engineering to culinary arts and forest management.
  • Centennial College, one of the province's largest colleges, has suspended a high of 124 programs.
  • The Ontario college system has seen a steep drop in international student enrolment, coupled with a provincial tuition freeze and per-student public funding that remains the lowest in Canada.
  • Critics have questioned the priorities and growth of administrative ranks, with an earlier Star analysis revealing a 54% increase in the number of people with vice-president or dean titles at Ontario colleges between 2014 and 2021.
  • The Ministry of Colleges and Universities has disputed OPSEU's claims, stating that the government has provided unprecedented amounts of new funding to the post-secondary sector.
  • The union is worried about the potential for privatization and additional program closures, predicting an "increased hopelessness" on college campuses this fall.
  • The Ontario college system trained half a million students every year, with the loss of jobs and programs having a significant impact on local, rural, and northern economies.

Statistics:

  • Over 10,000 college faculty and staff in Ontario have been let go.
  • Over 600 college programs have been suspended or cancelled.
  • Centennial College has suspended a high of 124 programs.
  • International student enrolment at Ontario colleges increased by 342% between 2012 and 2021.
  • The number of people with vice-president or dean titles at Ontario colleges increased 54% between 2014 and 2021.
  • The Ontario government has provided over $2 billion in new funding to the post-secondary sector in the last 14 months, in addition to the $5 billion it puts into the sector every year.
  • Ontario's colleges previously employed around 60,000 faculty and staff, with the layoffs cutting roughly one-sixth of the workforce.

Sources:

  • Janet Hurley, "Ontario's colleges face largest mass layoffs in province's history, union says," The Star, no date.
  • Graham Lloyd, CEO of the College Employer Council, "Response to OPSEU's claims," no date.
  • Ministry of Colleges and Universities, "Response to OPSEU's claims," no date.
  • OPSEU/SEFPO, "Layoffs and Program Cuts at Ontario Colleges," no date.