Facing deficits totalling $18 million in the next two academic years, Northern College in Timmins says it is being forced to lay off staff.
A news release Friday said a reduction in international student admissions announced by the federal government will lead to a $6 million operating deficit in 2025-26 and a $12 million deficit in 2026-27.
“The impact of these changes had an immediate impact on Northern College’s international student enrolment,” the release said.
“To address these projected deficits, and ensure Northern’s ongoing viability, the college will be required to reduce expenses, increase operational efficiencies and reduce staffing levels. Without making these tough staffing and operational adjustments, the future of the college is at risk.”
The college hasn’t yet said how many jobs are being eliminated, or how many people will actually be laid off. But since May 2024, the college has developed early retirement incentives and voluntary exit incentive packages “to enable employees to respectfully exit on their own terms,” the release said.
“These packages were designed to offer employees the opportunity to make the decision for themselves, and to grant them the time and financial stability to move on to a new chapter successfully. In addition to these incentive packages, the college will also be issuing layoff notices as required.”
College president Mitch Dumas said in the release that all alternatives to layoffs have been explored.
“Unfortunately, due to the combination of existing funding models, reduced international recruitment numbers and growing costs due to inflation, Northern has had to make the difficult decision to reduce its existing staffing complement,” Dumas said in the news release.
“I would like to say that this was an incredibly difficult decision for us to make.”
Northern College, along with other Ontario colleges, said it will continue to lobby federal, provincial and municipal governments for “policy adjustments that support the integrity of community colleges like Northern and their ability to provide opportunities for those seeking a brighter future.”
“Decisions made at a federal level have a direct impact on our communities, our ability to support our employees and fundamentally to provide our students with the best quality education in what we feel is a fantastic place to start a career,” Dumas said.
The college declined CTV News' request for an interview.
OPSEU Local 653, the union that represents faculty at the college said they were not surprised by the announcement – but they were only informed Thursday in advance of Friday’s news release.
OPSEU representatives told CTV News as far as they are aware no faculty will be impacted as they have not been notified of any reductions to their staff – they have assumed the layoffs will be in other areas.
Local 653 president Neal McNair said the union is disappointed by the move and is hoping the college will do everything it can to support employees.
“The timing of it is a little strange, I mean we’re aware, the college has been aware and has been communicating with us that there’s been - they have concerns over the changes in immigration regulations from the federal government which would result in fewer international students coming,” he said.
“So we’re not entirely surprised by the move but the timing of it is a little bit surprising.”
McNair added there is work to be done in terms of jobs, even with enrolment dropping due to international numbers declining.
McNair told CTV News he is unsure why the layoffs were announced when Northern is not sure how many employees will be taking them up on early exit incentives – adding the vague announcement has caused stress within the work environment.
With files from CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca journalist Ian Campbell
