B.C. colleges face mass layoffs as cuts to international student enrolment slash revenues, raising fears of the province’s “biggest crisis ever.”
Faculty Sound Alarm Over Widespread Cuts
British Columbia’s post-secondary sector is facing what faculty leaders call its “biggest crisis ever” as colleges and universities slash jobs in response to declining international enrolment. The reductions have triggered growing concern among instructors and students about the future of higher education in the province.
Scope of the Layoffs
Langara College has confirmed the elimination of 69 positions following a drop of 2,400 international students compared to fall 2023. Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has already cut 20 vacant roles, served layoff notices to eight business school instructors, and plans to remove about 45 more positions by March 2026. Vancouver Community College (VCC) is preparing to cut more than two dozen jobs by early 2026, according to its faculty association.
Policies Behind the Decline
The federal government announced in January 2024 that it would reduce international student permits by 35 per cent over two years, citing pressures on housing and concerns about abuses in the student visa system. In July 2024, B.C. followed with its own policy, capping international students at 30 per cent of total enrolment in public post-secondary institutions.
Impact on Institutions and Staff
For many colleges, international tuition has long filled funding gaps left by limited provincial funding. Faculty associations argue schools are now left without alternatives. “What is going to replace the international student income which colleges have depended on?” asked VCC Faculty Association president Frank Cosco, who warned that the loss of revenue is undermining the quality of education.
Official Responses
Langara College president and CEO Paula Burns called the cuts “incredibly hard,” describing them as a loss not just of positions but of colleagues who have shaped the community. KPU said in an internal memo the reductions are necessary for financial stability. VCC acknowledged negotiations are ongoing but did not release further details.
Government Position
B.C.’s Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Jessie Sunner, said institutions are facing “significant financial pressures” beyond their control. She confirmed the ministry is in close contact with affected colleges and pledged to work with them to manage costs, though specific supports were not outlined.
Student Consequences
Students are also paying the price. Cole Reinbold of the B.C. Federation of Students said restricted course offerings are delaying graduations, sometimes by up to two years. “That increases the cost of a degree by tens of thousands of dollars,” she said, adding that the effects could discourage future enrolments.
Broader Concerns
Faculty groups say governments encouraged schools to rely heavily on international tuition for decades and now bear responsibility for the crisis. With layoffs mounting, many argue urgent solutions are needed to protect academic programs, staff, and students alike.
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