Retrenchment Watch
Retrenchment Watch monitors institutional cutbacks in the postsecondary education, with a focus on Canada and the Anglosphere. As public funding declines, the sector faces a patchwork of institution-driven cuts with significant implications for decision-makers and institutional leaders. Our platform provides timely updates, pattern analysis, and insights into who is cutting what — and why. While still in development, we’re rapidly expanding coverage, starting with Canadian institutions.
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British Columbia
Though not directly contributed to the changes in international student policy, Aurora College announced plans to close its 19 community learning centres across the Northwest Territories as of June 30, citing ongoing low enrollment and fiscal constraints. This decision has been met with significant opposition from community leaders. Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation Chief James Marlowe expressed disappointment over the lack of consultation, emphasizing that education is a treaty right and that the closures could hinder community members’ opportunities for personal and professional development. This closure removes 47 positions.
Source: NNSL
British Columbia
Camosun College is projecting a $5M deficit for 2025-26 due to an enrollment shortfall of 400 students below projections. Layoffs are expected, but the number of affected staff has not yet been announced.
Source: Times Colonist
KPU reports a year-on year fall in international student recruitment by 53% from 1,060 in Fall 2023 to 502 in 2024.
Source: University Affairs
Langara is restructuring its departments into new faculties and cutting back the work offered to sessional and temporary instructors, with numbers to be revealed in January.
Source: The Tyee
OC has experienced a 50% reduction in new international student enrolment this fall and anticipates a further 70% decrease in the upcoming term. These declines have led to a notable shortfall in tuition revenue. In response, OC has canceled 11 part-time term faculty contracts for the winter semester. Additionally, the provost has indicated that up to 80 full-time positions may be at risk, potentially affecting both term and continuing faculty members.
Sources: Castanet News, Global News
SFU reduced its budget by $50M this fiscal year, implemented a selective hiring freeze on continuing faculty positions, and maintained an ongoing staff hiring freeze. Over 80 staff positions have been eliminated. SFU is anticipating a 20M revenue loss in 2025-2026.
SFU announced the closure of its Vancity Office of Community Engagement (VOCE) at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts. This decision follows the previous shutdown of SFU Woodward’s Cultural Programs and is part of broader financial consolidation efforts.
Sources: SFU Faculty and Staff Communications Archive, CreateAStir, Global News, SFU
Following a significant decline in new international student enrolment—50% for undergraduates and 75% for post-baccalaureate diploma students, TRU was initially anticipating a 21M deficit in 2024-2025 but has since announced that their deficit will be closer to 16M. So far, TRU has identified 14.35M in savings through removing vacant positions, reducing sessionals, 5% across-the-board budget reductions, but require more to meet their 16M target. Originally, TRU anticipated to cut $2M-$5M in sessional and instructor teaching loads but now only anticipate cutting $730,000.
Sources: CFJC Today, Castanet, Castanet (2)
UVic plans to introduce professional doctorate degrees for working professionals as a revenue-generating measure. UVic is undergoing a $13M budget reduction as a result of reduced international student enrolment. Layoffs are expected, while no numbers have been specified, UVic anticipates less than 20 involuntary staff cuts.
Sources: Victoria News, UVic Budget Site, Times Colonist
VCC is terminating its Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program, affecting over 800 students. More than 30 instructors are being laid off as a result. Students have expressed concerns about finding alternative educational opportunities.
Source: CityNews Vancouver
VIU is facing a $20.2M deficit after losing 384 international students; 60% of incoming international graduate students, 48% of incoming international undergraduate students, and 7% decline in continuing students.
Sources: Sooke News, CHEK News
Alberta
The Mintz panel on post-secondary funding in Alberta should be fully staffed by the end of December.
Source: Government of Alberta
MRU projects their international student population to be similar to prior years at approximately 3.7%. Small changes in international revenue have been accounted for in the budget and no lay offs, program cuts are expected from the change in international student policy.
Source: CBC
The University of Alberta will freeze hiring, effective January 1st 2025. Any process which has not reached a verbal offer by then will be cancelled.
The University of Alberta is raising tuition for the sixth consecutive year, by a 10% increase in international tuition and a 2% increase for domestic students for 2026. The university is undergoing restructuring and cutting administrative positions to address financial challenges. Concerns have been raised about increased class sizes and workloads for teaching staff.
UofA has announced cuts to their competitive swim program citing financial challenges.
Sources: CBC, The Gateway, Bears and Pandas, CBC
The University of Calgary faces an $11M revenue drop following a reduction of international students from 6,998 to 6,394. UCalgary’s student newspaper, the Gauntlet, reported from an institutional townhall that programs in classics and religion as well as Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures without consultation. The university administration replied that programs are paused to be renewed, not cut.
Source: CBC, The Gauntlet
Manitoba
The college has seen a 78% reduction in international student recruitment and is closing 5 cost-recovery programs which management believe are not financially sustainable without them. Programs affected include office skills, baking foundations, culinary arts, business administration, and accounting and finance. The loss of international students has also reduced seats for domestic students, as many programs relied on international enrollment to remain viable.
Source: CBC
Brandon University saw a 15% decrease in international students in 2024-2025, decreasing from 527 to 447.
Source: CBC
Although much smaller in scale – there are only 5 international students enrolled at this private college in Winnipeg – Herzing College is pointing to a quirk of how transfer students are treated which may have implications for other institutions. All of Herzing’s international students entered as transfers from other Canadian institutions, but Manitoba’s system allocates Provincial Attestation Letters in proportion to the number of direct-applicant international students a private institution already has. This means colleges like Herzing which received all of their international students as transfers will get none next year.
Source: CBC
Brandon University saw a 15% decrease in international students in 2024-2025, decreasing from 527 to 447.
Source: CBC
The University of Winnipeg projects a $4M-$5M loss in revenue this year. UW has announced program cuts, including the termination of its English Language Program and women’s soccer team, citing financial constraints. First-year international enrollment dropped by 34% compared to last year, and concerns about future cuts remain. The University of Winnipeg hiring freeze reported in December extends to TA and RA positions, which means instructors will need to either spend more time teaching their courses or rethink pedagogy.
Sources: CBC News, CBC
Ontario
Algonquin College is projecting a $32M revenue loss for 2024-25, which is expected to increase to $60M in 2025-26 and nearly $100M by 2026-27. Programs at the Perth Campus will end after the 2026 Spring Term, and the campus is set to close by August 2026.
Sources: CTV News Ottawa, Lanark Leeds Today
Carleton is projecting a $38M deficit for the 2024-25 fiscal year, expected to grow to $70M in 2025-26. The university has introduced a Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program to cut costs.
Source: The Charlatan
Centennial College is suspending 49 programs as of Summer 2025, following a projected 43% drop in international student enrollment for 2024-25. Faculty and staff layoffs are expected. The college is working to adapt to federal immigration policy changes that significantly impact enrollment and finances.
Sources: The Globe and Mail, CP24
Conestoga has recorded a surplus of $250M for 2023-24 and put another half-billion of cash aside as a cushion. Some of this money is being used to incentivise early retirement for employees aged over 50 whose age-plus-years-of-service sum to at least 70 years. This week offers were made to 54 support staff and 106 faculty who meet that threshold, the package includes a year’s salary as an incentive to leave voluntarily. A similar offer was already made to 71 faculty aged over 60 back in April.
At the same time, the union local reports that partial-load employees are being reclassified as part-time, which under the Ontario collective agreement allows their teaching hours and benefits to be cut more quietly – the numbers affected by this move are less clear.
Conestoga’s international student permits fell by 75% year-over-year following the cap.
Sources: CTV News, The Record, Cambridge Today
So far, Fanshawe College officials have been quiet about cuts and impacts of the loss of international students on their campus. Their student newspaper, however, has released a list of program suspensions discussed in internal meetings.
Spring 2025 suspensions: Baking & Pastry Management; Culinary Skills; Culinary Management; Food & Beverage Management; Food Processing — Operations; Food Processing — Product Development; Hospitality — Hotel & Resort Services; Hospitality and Tourism Operations; Tourism — Travel Studies
Fall 2025 suspensions: Food & Beverage Management; Food Processing — Operation; Food Processing — Product Development; Hospitality — Hotel & Resort Services; Hospitality and Tourism Operations
Winter 2026 suspensions: Baking & Pastry Management; Culinary Skills; Culinary Management; Food & Beverage Management; Food Processing — Operations; Food Processing — Product Development; Hospitality — Hotel & Resort Services; Hospitality and Tourism Operations; Event Planning; Tourism — Travel
Source: Interrobang
Fleming College is dealing with a $38M revenue drop and has suspended 29 programs (possibly 42) due to the loss of 5,000 international students.
Sources: Global News, Global News Video
Georgian College is projecting a $45M deficit for 2025-26 due to a 30% decline in international enrollment. An additional 24% drop is expected for 2025-26, translating to a loss of 2,500 students. 23 employees have been laid off. The college has suspended 20 program intakes for 2024-25 to address budget shortfalls.
Source: Newmarket Today, CTV News
Loyalist College Loyalist College is suspending intake for 30% of its programs indefinitely, starting fall 2025. Loyalist is expecting a $40 million reduction in international student revenue in 2025-2026, with an additional $8 million decrease projected for 2026-27. A 20% reduction in staffing is anticipated, to be addressed through a voluntary exit program, attrition, planned retirements, and some layoffs.
Programs affected: Architectural Technician; Architectural Technology; Biotechnology – Advanced; Business – Finance and Analytics; Carpentry and Renovation Technician; Chemical Engineering Technician; Chemical Engineering Technology; Civil Engineering Technology; Cloud Computing; Computer Software and Database Development; Culinary Skills; Culinary Management; Environmental Technician; Environmental Technology; Esthetics and Spa Management; Financial Technology; Global Business Management; Global Project Management; Manufacturing Engineering Technician; Motive Power Technician – Service and Management; Protection, Security and Investigation; Public Relations – Event Management; Recreation and Leisure – Sports; Wireless Information Networking.
Source: Quinte News
Mohawk College is projecting a $50M deficit due to a 16% decrease in international students (from 7,309 to 6,166). Only 41 of the 130 programs offered are PGWP-eligible following policy changes. Twenty percent of administrative jobs have been cut, equating to 127 positions.
Source: MSN News
Niagara College is facing a $71M budget deficit and has implemented a hiring freeze. International enrollment dropped by 1,000 students, resulting in a $5M loss in tuition revenue. Revenue from the Toronto campus decreased significantly from $179M to $107.8M.
Source: St. Catharines Standard
Northern College is projecting deficits of $6M for 2025-26 and $12M for 2026-27. To mitigate the impact, early retirement incentives and voluntary exit packages have been offered since May 2024.
Source: Timmins Today
The university estimates a $36M deficit for 2024/25 and has already been laying off some support staff. 16 personnel were laid off by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and 17 accepted voluntary exit incentives before the start of this academic year.
Sources: Global News, Queen’s Journal
St. Clair College has suspended intake for 18 programs following a 40% reduction in international student revenue.
The suspended programs: Journalism; Fashion Design Technician; Border Services (Chatham campus); Autism and Behavioural Science; Electric Drive Vehicle Technician; Electric Drive Vehicle Fundamentals; Mechanical Technician; Hospitality; Public Relations; Electrical Engineering technician (Chatham campus); Office Administration Health (Chatham campus); Paramedic (Chatham campus); Chemical Laboratory Technician; Power Engineering Techniques; Power Engineering Technician; Dental Assisting. Two programs are transitioning to part time programs: Strategic Project Management; Construction Project Management (Graduate).
Source: CBC
St. Lawrence College is suspending 55 programs, approximately 40% of its offerings, across its Brockville, Cornwall, and Kingston campuses starting in Spring 2025. The program cuts, including business courses, police foundations, hairstyling, and musical theatre, are attributed to a 50% drop in international student enrollment caused by federal policy changes. Of the cuts, 51 come from the degree/diploma/certificate and 4 come from the apprenticeship programs. Current students will be able to complete their studies as planned. St. Lawrence college has already eliminated 30 jobs.
List of program cuts:
Degree/diploma/certificate: Bachelor of Business Administration, Kingston; Business, Brockville Cornwall; Business – Accounting Cornwall, Kingston; Business – Human Resources, Kingston; Business – Marketing, Kingston; Business Administration, Cornwall; Business Administration – Accounting, Cornwall, Kingston; Business Administration – Human Resources, Kingston; Business Administration – Marketing, Kingston; Business Fundamentals, Brockville, Cornwall; Business Analytics, Kingston; Child and Youth Care, Kingston; Culinary Management, Kingston; Culinary Skills, Kingston; Energy Systems Engineering Technology, Kingston; General Arts and Science – One Year, Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston; General Arts and Science Diploma, Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston; Hairstyling, Brockville; Health Information Management, Kingston; Hospitality, Kingston; Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology, Kingston; International Business Management, Kingston; Law Clerk, Kingston; Media Arts Fundamentals, Brockville, Kingston; Mental Wellness and Addictions Worker, Brockville, Kingston; Music and Digital Media, Kingston; Music Theatre – Performance, Brockville; Music Theatre – Performance (Queen’s) Brockville; Office Administration – General, Brockville, Kingston; Office Administration – Health Services, Brockville, Kingston; Office Administration – Legal, Kingston; Police Foundations, Brockville, Online; Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas, Cornwall, Kingston; Project Management, Cornwall, Kingston; Tourism, Kingston; Visual and Creative Arts – Fine Arts, Brockville
Apprenticeship Programs: General Machinist, Kingston; Cook, Kingston; Automotive Service, Cornwall; Brick & Stone Mason, Kingston
Source: CBC News, City News, St. Lawrence College
Seneca is “temporarily” closing its Markham campus, which primarily served international students.
Source: City News
Sheridan expects at least a 30% reduction in international students next year and a reduction in revenue of $112M, and will suspend 40 programs and put 27 into review. Staff will inevitably be laid off, there are estimates of around 700 layoffs but the numbers are not finalised.
Program cuts: Visual Merchandising Design; Performing Arts – Preparation; Journalism; Game Level Design; Honours Bachelor of Photography; Visual and Creative Arts – Advanced Diploma; Honours Bachelor of Community Safety; Regulatory Affairs; Paralegal; Investigation – Public and Private; Community and Justice Services; TESOL Plus; Creativity and Innovation; Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing & Publishing; Technology Fundamentals; Chemical Engineering Technology; Electronic Engineering Technology; Mechanical Engineering Technology – Design; Mechanical Engineering Technology; Chemical Engineering Technology – Environmental; Chemical Laboratory Technician; Electronics Engineering Technician; Electromechanical Engineering Technician; Mechanical Engineering Technician; Mechanical Engineering Technician – Design; Electromechanical Engineering Technology; Computer Engineering Technology; Business Administration Accounting; Business Administration Finance; Honours Bachelor Business Administration Marketing Management; Honours Bachelor Business Administration Finance; Advertising – Account Management; Business Human Resources; Honours Bachelor Business Administration Human Resources Management; Business Administration – HR; Business Finance; Professional Accounting Graduate; Office Administration – Executive; Honours Bachelor Business Administration Supply Chain Management; Honours Bachelor Business Administration Accounting.
Source: CBC, Sheridan College
Trent is anticipating a $12.9M shortfall in tuition revenue, resulting in a $1.4M deficit in 2024. Trent received $1.5M from the Ontario University Stability Fund.
Source: Peterborough Examiner
The University of Waterloo estimates a $75M deficit in 2024-2025. Along with a full hiring freeze, the institution announced that jobs will be cut, although there are no firm numbers available yet. The University announced that they will be moving to a 3-year budgeting model to come back to a balanced budget. UW introduced a voluntary retirement plan in 2024 for employees over 65 years old with at least 10 years of service; 70 employees have participated so far.
Source: University of Waterloo(1), University of Waterloo (2)
The University of Windsor estimates a $10M deficit this year and a $30M deficit next year. Windsor issued layoff notices to 8 non-union employees, 5 vacant positions will be unfilled and 2 retirees will not be replaced, for a total of 15 positions, however the university is warning that more action will be needed in the face of the operating deficit.
The University of Windsor has also paused admissions to the Bachelor of Fine Arts Acting program for 2025-26, citing budget shortfalls. Existing students in affected programs can continue their progression.
Source: Windsorite News, CBC News, CTV, University of Windsor, City News
As a cost reduction initiative, Western will set minimum enrollment thresholds below which a course may not run. The Western Gazette reports that within each Faculty at least 90% of undergraduate courses must meet thresholds of 50 students for a 1,000-level course, 40 for a 2,000-level, 30 for a 3,000-level and 15 for a 4,000-level.
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association (UWOFA) is urging Western to use its $3.07B in net assets and $219.5M surplus to avoid harmful budget cuts.
Source: Western Gazette, CTV
York University estimates a $142M operating budget deficit in 2023/24 and is reducing costs by $130M over three years to fill a gap in the budget.
Sources: Excalibur, York University
Quebec
Concordia University projects a $34.5M deficit for 2024-25 due to a loss of 1,200 students. The hiring freeze implemented in 2023 will remain.
Sources: Concordia CSU Report, Concordia News
McGill University is implementing a $45 million budget cut this fiscal year, with additional reductions of $16 million and $14 million planned for the next two years, to address projected operating deficits. McGill is set to cut 250-500 jobs. McGill’s financial constraints are attributed more to changes in provincial government policies than changes in the international student changes.
Source: CityNews
New Brunswick
One of the less high-profile ways in which Canada serves international students is by training pilots, particularly from the People’s Republic of China. Moncton Flight College is closing a campus it opened in Fredericton specifically to serve this market in collaboration with St Thomas University. 40 staff will be affected although many will be offered positions in Moncton. Management blamed a combination of visa policy and changes in China’s airline industry.
Source: CBC
Nova Scotia
CBU is experiencing a $20M budget deficit due to a 52% reduction in international student enrollment compared to last year.In 2024, new international student tuition increased 9%, returning international student tuition increased 2.5%, and domestic student tuition increased 2%.
Sources: CBC News, MSN News Coastal Radio, CBU
Dalhousie University has reported an $18M revenue drop and a 20% decline in international student enrolment. A hiring freeze has been implemented and is anticipated to remain until, at least, March 2025.
Source: CBC
SMU reported a $9.8 million deficit in 2023. The faculty union has criticized the administration for a lack of transparency on financial issues and cutbacks, calling for the previous president’s resignation. Saint Mary’s University has appointed Michael Khan as its next president, effective July 1, as the university faces financial and enrolment challenges. Khan, currently provost at Trent University, will lead efforts to stabilize SMU’s finances amid expected revenue losses from international student permit reductions.
Source: CBC
Newfoundland and Labrador
Memorial University reported a $9.5M revenue drop. New cost reduction measures include a limited hiring program, changes to carry-over funding, and exploration of new funding models.
Source: MUN Gazette
