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Ontario Colleges Face Massive Layoffs Amid International Student Caps

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Massive layoffs are unfolding in Ontario colleges, resulting in nearly 10,000 job losses, as the sector grapples with the impact of the federal government's cap on international study permits. The cap, imposed in January 2024, has led to a decline in international tuition fees, causing colleges to shed thousands of jobs and close hundreds of programs. The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) claims the province's colleges are facing one of the largest mass layoffs in history, with 19 of the 24 colleges affected.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 8,000 jobs have been lost or will be lost in Ontario colleges since the cap on international study permits was imposed in January 2024.
  • Approximately 613 full-time academic positions, 3,370 part-time teaching roles, 2,400 support staff jobs, and over 900 administrative positions have been lost.
  • The union anticipates more job losses, stating that the situation is a "classic playbook of starving the system of resources, forcing people out and worsening conditions."
  • The loss of more than 650 programs will have a significant impact on local economies.
  • Colleges had a collective surplus of approximately $660-million in 2022-23, but are now facing significant financial challenges due to the decline in international tuition fees.

Statistics:

  • 8,135 jobs have been lost or will be lost in Ontario colleges.
  • 613 full-time academic positions have been lost.
  • 3,370 part-time teaching roles have been lost.
  • 2,400 support staff jobs have been lost.
  • 916 administrative positions have been lost.
  • 19 of the 24 colleges in the province have been affected by the layoffs.
  • The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) represents approximately 15,000 college faculty and staff.
  • The College Employer Council has stated that there is no reason to believe additional funding is on the way.

Sources:

  • A report from arbitrator William Kaplan
  • A statement from OPSEU president JP Hornick
  • A report from the Ontario auditor-general, Bonnie Lysyk
  • A statement from Bianca Giacoboni, spokesperson for Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn
  • A statement from Maureen Adamson, interim president of Colleges Ontario
  • Globe and Mail article "Ontario Colleges Face Massive Layoffs Amid International Student Caps"

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