Ontario Colleges Hit Hard by Study Permit Caps, Leading to Job and Programme Cuts

By Henry November 7, 2024
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Ontario’s colleges are feeling the financial strain of the federal government’s new study permit caps, leading to widespread job cuts and programme reductions across the province. Last year, colleges in Ontario earned over $2 billion from international tuition fees, but the introduction of stricter limits on the number of international students, alongside changes to post-graduation work permit eligibility, has caused a sharp decline in student enrolment.

St. Lawrence College in Kingston announced the elimination of 30 managerial and support roles due to the reduced number of students. College president Glenn Vollebregt explained that the cuts were a direct result of the new policies, including the ineligibility of students from private colleges partnered with public institutions for work permits. The college has also ended its partnership with Alpha College in Toronto, although current students will be allowed to complete their courses.

Meanwhile, Seneca College in Toronto is temporarily closing its Markham campus, which previously hosted over 5,000 international students. President David Agnew said the uncertainty around Canada’s immigration policies has led to confusion among prospective students, dampening international interest.

Other colleges, such as Fleming College and Fanshawe College, have also reduced programmes and are bracing for a further decline in international enrolment, predicting significant financial repercussions. These cuts are compounded by the looming threat of a strike by 15,000 college staff in Ontario, adding more uncertainty to the province’s higher education landscape.

Source: THE PIE NEWS

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