Colleges in Canada, especially in Ontario, are laying off nearly 10,000 teachers, administrative staff, and support workers.
This is happening because of a sharp decline in international student enrolment, mainly from India.
The federal government’s limit on study permits—introduced to reduce pressure on housing and services—has hit colleges that rely heavily on international student fees.
Ontario Colleges Most Affected
Ontario’s 24 public colleges are facing the biggest impact. Indian students earlier made up over half of their international student population.
Now, colleges have started cutting programmes, offering fewer courses, and laying off both teaching and support staff.
Funding Problems and Dependence on Tuition Fees
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) has raised concerns that college funding from the province has not increased, forcing colleges to depend on international tuition fees to cover expenses.
With fewer Indian students enrolling, this system has failed. OPSEU President JP Hornick called the situation “devastating” and asked both federal and provincial governments to provide emergency funding.
Private College Partnerships Under Review
This crisis has also raised questions about partnerships between public colleges and private institutions. Many of these private affiliates focused on bringing in Indian students.
Now, because of the federal cap, these private colleges are struggling to continue operations.
Critics are questioning whether there was enough oversight on these partnerships and whether student support and academic standards were properly maintained.
Bigger Economic and Job Impact
The layoff of around 10,000 employees is one of the biggest job losses in Canada’s education sector in recent times.
The union is asking for more public funding to stop more layoffs and programme cuts, warning that the long-term health of the college system is in danger.
What’s Next
Without quick government action to fix the funding gap, Canada’s post-secondary education system could face even more problems.
This situation is a clear sign that colleges need to rethink their dependence on international students, find other sources of revenue, and make public education more stable for the future.
