Ontario town reeling as student cap forces college to close campus
Global News
An Ontario college that has called a small town home since 1970 is closing its campus given the crippling financial woes it’s facing, it says.
An Ontario college that has called a small town home since 1970 is closing its campus given the crippling financial woes it’s facing.
Algonquin College has informed its employees and students in Perth, located between Kingston and Ottawa, that by the end of August 2026, it will shutter its campus there.
Judy Brown, the mayor of the town of roughly 6,500, said in a statement Monday that Perth “will deeply feel the loss” of Algonquin College.
“For over five decades, the Perth Campus has provided invaluable educational opportunities, shaped countless careers, and strengthened the fabric of our town. Its heritage trades programs, in particular, have left a lasting legacy that can be seen in the beautiful heritage buildings that define our community,” Brown said.
“Education opportunities in rural communities are essential. They ensure that people can learn, grow, and thrive without leaving their hometowns.”
Claude Brulé, president and CEO of Algonquin College, said in a Jan. 9 notice that the international student cap and provincial funding shortfalls have created “unprecedented financial challenges” for the entire post-secondary sector.
Brulé said staff have been reviewing the school’s operations, and have projected Algonquin will lose $32 million in revenue this fiscal year. Without mitigation measures, such as closing its Perth campus, Brulé said on a cash-flow basis, the college anticipates a deficit of $60 million for 2025-26, increasing to $96 million for 2026-27.
“These are the most challenging fiscal times in the college’s history. I understand how morale is being negatively impacted and employees and learners may be feeling concerned and anxious as they await updates,” Brulé said.
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