Universities cut jobs in face of international student cap

Ontario’s colleges and universities say the federal government’s cap on international students is taking a toll on the higher education sector as some schools face growing deficits, layoffs and, in at least one case, a temporary campus closure, writes Sharif Hassan for the Canadian Press.

St Lawrence College (SLC) in Kingston, Ontario, said it has eliminated 30 administrative and support positions and warned of further job cuts after its foreign student enrolment dropped by 50%. President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt said the college is participating in a province-wide efficiency review that is expected to conclude early next year and as that unfolds, “SLC cannot guarantee that there will be no further layoffs”.

Mohawk College in Hamilton has also told its staff that layoffs are on the horizon, while Seneca Polytechnic will temporarily shutter one of its campuses north of Toronto by the end of the fall semester. Groups representing post-secondary institutions say this may just be the tip of the iceberg, as dramatic drops in international student enrolment exacerbate some schools’ existing budget shortfalls.
Full report on the Toronto Sun site