Nearly 10,000 college staff face layoffs in Ontario amid program cuts, OPSEU warns. Funding crisis blamed as international student numbers drop.
Thousands of Ontario College Jobs on the Line, Union Warns
Close to 10,000 faculty and support staff across Ontario’s public colleges have either lost their jobs or are projected to, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). The union called it “one of the largest mass layoffs in Ontario’s history” during a press conference held Wednesday at Centennial College’s Story Arts Centre campus, which is among the campuses set to close this year.
Deepening Crisis in Post-Secondary Education
The layoffs are tied to what OPSEU describes as a sector-wide funding crisis, worsened by the federal government’s cap on international student permits. The cap, introduced in early 2024, triggered a steep decline in enrolment and tuition revenue—particularly from international students—forcing colleges to cancel or suspend over 600 programs.
A recent arbitrated faculty contract revealed that 23 out of Ontario’s 24 colleges reported a 48% drop in international student enrolment between September 2023 and September 2024. So far, 19 colleges have confirmed more than 8,000 layoffs, with final figures expected to approach 10,000 as more data comes in.
Impact Beyond International Programs
OPSEU president JP Hornick emphasized that not only international programs are affected. “Essential domestic programs in nursing, child and youth care, and environmental technologies are being suspended—many of which are irreplaceable in their regions,” Hornick said.
She cited the example of a culinary program in Thunder Bay, the only one of its kind within 1,000 kilometres, which has long supported food security in Northern Ontario. “We’re losing programs vital to our communities and economy,” she added.
Government Responds, Disputes Claims
The Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities strongly denied OPSEU’s accusations of neglect and secrecy. “OPSEU’s claims are baseless and categorically false,” said ministry spokesperson Bianca Giacoboni. She pointed to over $2 billion in new funding for post-secondary institutions in the past 14 months, in addition to the regular $5 billion annual investment.
Giacoboni added that a college funding model review is set to begin this summer and placed blame for the crisis squarely on federal policy changes around international students.
Employer Council Offers Context
The College Employer Council (CEC), representing Ontario’s publicly funded colleges, pushed back on the union’s narrative. CEO Graham Lloyd said that the CEC has been in active discussions with OPSEU since January and accused the union of mischaracterizing the level of transparency around the layoffs.
Lloyd confirmed that the 10,000 projected job losses represent about 17% of the college workforce, while international student enrolment has dropped by 45%, making the cuts “proportionate though unfortunate.”
Centennial and Sector-Wide Financial Pressures
Centennial College disputed OPSEU’s claim that it had cut over 100 programs, clarifying that 54 programs have been suspended in 2025. A spokesperson for the institution described the situation as “a reflection of sector-wide financial pressures.”
“Federal policy shifts and an outdated funding model have created an unsustainable environment,” the college said. “We are collaborating with sector partners to address these challenges in a sustainable way.”
Looking Ahead
As the Ontario college system contends with declining revenue, uncertain enrolment, and mounting pressure from both union and government bodies, the future of accessible post-secondary education in the province hangs in the balance. OPSEU says its members are prepared to escalate action if transparency and funding reforms are not delivered soon.
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