Around 10,000 jobs have been cut across Ontario’s 24 public colleges due to Canada’s federal government’s cap on international study permits, according to the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU).
The union says the job losses are affecting faculty, support staff, and administrators throughout the college system.
According to Immigration Canada, OPSEU attributes the job losses to a significant decline in international student enrolment. The federal cap, introduced in early 2024, was meant to reduce pressure on housing and public services across the country. However, it has led to reduced revenue for colleges that have come to rely heavily on tuition from international students.
Colleges Adjust to Revenue Shortfalls
The federal cap limits the number of new international students permitted to study in Canada. For many Ontario colleges, these students previously represented more than 50% of their enrolment. Their higher tuition fees provided a major share of institutional funding.
With the sudden drop in enrolment, colleges have responded by cancelling programs, reducing course availability, and cutting staff across various departments.
“The loss of international students is having a devastating impact on college staff,” said OPSEU President, JP Hornick.
The cap has forced some colleges to reassess their financial models. Without new funding or other ways to bring in income, many are being forced to cut staff and reduce programs.
Funding Model Creates Vulnerability
OPSEU says there have been funding problems in colleges for a long time. The union notes that, due to the lack of provincial funding, colleges have had to rely more on international student fees. This has made them more at risk when immigration rules change.
The union is calling on the provincial and federal governments to provide emergency funding and commit to a more stable, long-term investment in public education.
The Ontario college system, established to provide accessible career-focused education, has seen its operations change in recent years. As domestic tuition has remained regulated, international tuition has become a financial lifeline, particularly for mid-sized and smaller colleges.
Private Partnerships Face Increased Attention
Job losses have also been concentrated in campuses operated under public-private partnerships. These campuses, often run in collaboration between public colleges and private education providers, enrolled large numbers of international students before the federal cap took effect.
Some of these partnerships have been questioned for weak supervision. Critics have raised concerns about the quality of education, lack of student support, and unclear management. Since the federal cap affects these campuses more, many have lost a large number of staff and students.
The cap has intensified debate about the role of public colleges in managing private partnerships. While such arrangements were initially intended to increase capacity, they have created additional challenges in times of enrolment decline.
Union Calls for Government Action
OPSEU is urging both levels of government to intervene. The union warns that, without immediate investment, further job cuts and program reductions are likely. It also warns of longer-term consequences for student access and institutional sustainability.
Ontario colleges continue to assess the full impact of the enrolment cap, while seeking support to stabilise their operations. The province has not yet announced any additional funding measures in response to the job losses.
