Ontario’s public colleges are experiencing severe financial turmoil, prompting widespread program suspensions and staffing cuts. Amid calls from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) for urgent financial intervention, the college sector faces unprecedented challenges due to years of underfunding and changing policies affecting international student enrolment.
"An additional $1.34 billion to the colleges, and $2.78 billion to universities, would be needed to bring Ontario up to the national average," OPSEU President JP Hornick stated, emphasizing the urgent need for support. The stark financial reality for Ontario colleges is compounded by their reliance on international student tuition fees, which made up 68 percent of all tuition fee revenue according to a 2021 auditor general report.
Ontario currently ranks at the bottom among provinces for per-student funding, which has plummeted by 28 percent, according to recent reports. Education funding from the provincial government has remained stagnate for years. Meanwhile, tuition revenues have tripled, leading to significant changes in the financial structure of these institutions. "Ford is hiding behind a ‘protect Ontario’ tagline and photo ops with construction crews, all the meanwhile our college system is being dismantled brick by brick," Hornick said.
Recently, Centennial College announced the suspension of 49 programs due to anticipated declines linked to the federal government’s cap on international study permits. This decision follows similar announcements from other institutions, signaling the depth of the crisis. St. Lawrence College revealed the suspension of 55 programs, which constitutes 40 percent of its offerings. Meanwhile, Loyalist College plans to halt intake for 24 programs, representing 30 percent of its programming.
"Colleges are the backbone of Ontario’s economy, where we train nurses, electricians, crane operators—essential workers for the province," Hornick added. The downturn echoes across nearly every college, with expected layoffs tallying in the hundreds. Such cuts are concerning, especially for smaller towns and northern regions where local colleges often represent the only pathway to post-secondary education.
Shockingly, the Ford government recently awarded $10 million to Agnico Eagle Mines for its own “comprehensive skills development program” in Northern Ontario. Simultaneously, longstanding programs aimed at providing free upskilling opportunities, like diamond drilling courses at Northern College, are being eliminated.
Experts and advocates suggest drastic action is necessary to avoid harming the province's post-secondary education. The College Student Alliance has implored the upcoming provincial government to prioritize funding for colleges, warning of severe repercussions. "Students are so concerned and rightfully so—they continue to be the ones to really take the brunt of all the cuts and reductions," said Azi Afousi, board director of the alliance.
Provincial funding freezes since 2019 have exacerbated the situation, as colleges found themselves pressured to recruit international students to offset underfunding. This shift proved unsustainable when federal policies limiting study permits came to play, leaving these institutions struggling to remain financially viable.
Looking forward, political parties are beginning to outline their plans for addressing the crisis. Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner announced intentions to boost funding for public post-secondary institutions by 20 percent and scrap the performance-based funding model. The Ontario NDP aims to increase base funding, reverse cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP), and focus on promoting accessible education.
Conversely, the Ontario Liberal Party criticized the Conservative government's approach, claiming the Ford administration allowed educational institutions to operate under dire financial constraints. They argue for immediate reform, ensuring adequate funding for the future.
The Ontario Progressive Conservatives refrained from various recent requests for comment. Former colleges Minister Bianca Giacoboni acknowledged funding challenges but emphasized the government’s commitment to stabilize the sector, stating, "Our post-secondary sector is going through a rebalancing right now and some difficult decisions are being made."
Meanwhile, analysts predict the challenges will only intensify without significant intervention. Post-secondary researcher Alex Usher warned, "There’s going to be fewer viable programs left under purely provincial funding. This reality will likely shock many students who anticipate diverse educational opportunities."
The future of Ontario's colleges hangs in the balance as the government's funding decisions loom large. If immediate action isn’t taken, the consequences will not be contained to just financial metrics, but will ripple through communities reliant on these institutions for workforce training and development.