Brock professor warns cuts and layoffs may stifle innovation at Ontario colleges and universities
CBC
Stagnant funding, tuition freezes, and over-reliance on international student fees are pushing institutions toward program cuts and layoffs and, potentially, impacting innovation, according to a Brock University professor.
"The best way to have innovation is to actually have different colleges and different universities running parallel programs so that they can learn from one another," said Louis Volante, an educational studies professor at Brock University.
The federal government has been cracking down on the number of international students entering the country. In January 2024, they announced a 35-per-cent cut to study permits issued and new restrictions for international students. Another 10-per-cent cut came in September.
Some colleges are already feeling the impact. Hamilton's Mohawk College projected a $50 million deficit in November for the 2025-2026 school year. The college already cut 20 per cent of their administrative jobs in December, with more cuts to be announced later this month.
The cuts have also led to many programs being suspended, including Broadcasting, Human Resources Management, and Tourism.
In Toronto, Seneca Polytechnic said in October it would temporarily close one of its campuses, citing the drop in international students.
WATCH | Brock University professor explains the risks of cutting college and university programs based on enrolment
"It's very difficult to be innovative if you're the only person on the block," said Volante.
Alex Usher, president of Higher Education Strategy Associates, said Canada has "been able to pretend we've got a world-class university system for the last 15 years."
"It's been the international students that have kept it all afloat," he told CBC News last year.
Usher said with fewer international students, universities have to either ask Canadian students and their parents to pay more, or tell governments it's time to increase "contributions to universities and colleges."
Tuitions in Ontario have been frozen since 2019 and Education Minister Jill Dunlop said last year they will continue to be until at least 2026-2027.
Universities, while not being as affected by international student cuts, are still at risk.
Ten Ontario universities reported over $300 million in loses in the 2023-24 school year, and projected $600 million in 2024-25, according to Steve Orsini, president of the Council of Ontario Universities.
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