Understanding Humber Polytechnic's Latest Cost-Cutting Initiative
Humber Polytechnic, one of Canada's largest post-secondary institutions with approximately 76,000 students and 4,500 full-time employees, has recently announced a voluntary exit package program open to all full-time staff. This move comes as the college grapples with mounting financial pressures exacerbated by a sharp decline in enrollment, particularly among international students. The announcement, detailed in a letter from President Ann Marie Vaughan dated February 24, 2026, provides employees just two weeks to decide by March 9, after which the institution will evaluate its staffing needs and potentially pursue further reductions.
This initiative reflects a broader crisis in Ontario's college sector, where institutions heavily reliant on tuition revenue from international students have been hit hard by federal policy changes. For context, Humber derives only 23% of its funding from government grants, with the majority coming from tuition and ancillary operations.
Details of the Voluntary Exit Packages
The packages are structured to incentivize departures without immediate forced layoffs. Eligible full-time employees, including members of the executive team, can receive a one-time payment equivalent to 20 to 45 weeks of their salary, scaled according to years of service. Additionally, recipients get a lump-sum bonus of 10% of their base salary. This builds on a prior voluntary retirement program launched in early 2025, which targeted full-time faculty meeting specific pension criteria, such as the '85 factor' (age plus years of CAAT pensionable service totaling 85) or the '60/20 factor' (age 60 with 20 years of service).
- Eligibility: All full-time employees; prior program was faculty-only.
- Payment Scale: 20-45 weeks salary + 10% bonus.
- Timeline: Decisions due March 9, 2026; assessments follow.
Union representatives anticipate strong interest, describing the offers as more generous than previous iterations, though concerns linger about long-term implications for workloads.
The Root Cause: Enrollment Decline Driven by International Student Caps
At the heart of Humber's challenges is a dramatic drop in international student numbers, a direct result of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) policies introduced in January 2024. These include caps on study permits, limiting approvals and causing enrollment shortfalls. Humber, which enrolled 27,540 international students last year, reported fewer than budgeted for the fall 2025 term. Provincially, Ontario colleges have seen international enrollments plummet by up to 54% in some projections.
Canada-wide, international student arrivals fell nearly 60% in 2025 compared to 2024, with study permit populations down 26% year-over-year by August 2025. For polytechnics like Humber, which expanded programs to attract global talent, this has created revenue gaps amid frozen domestic tuition and stagnant provincial funding.Read the full Toronto Star report.
Humber's Financial Strain and Previous Restructuring Efforts
Humber has been proactive but strained. In December 2024, President Vaughan highlighted a '12- to 18-month window' for fiscal management without drastic cuts. Despite this, the college faced a reported $50 million shortfall earlier in 2025, leading to leadership changes: two vice-presidents were let go in October 2024, and nine board members resigned amid governance issues. Last spring, eight full-time accessibility support faculty were laid off, and since 2023, 44 programs have been suspended or cancelled, offset somewhat by 45 new launches in high-demand fields like STEM and health care.
Operational efficiencies, reduced discretionary spending, and avoiding public-private partnerships have been key, but persistent challenges necessitated the current broad exit offers.
The Wider Ontario Colleges Crisis: 10,000 Jobs and 600 Programs Gone
Humber's situation mirrors a sector-wide meltdown. Over the past year, Ontario's 24 public colleges have eliminated or suspended over 600 programs and shed 10,000 workers—the largest mass layoff in provincial history. Peers like Conestoga College laid off 181 full-time staff in December 2025 after offering voluntary exits; George Brown introduced buyouts; Centennial suspended 49 programs. These cuts stem from international revenue reliance, now curtailed by federal caps.
- Conestoga: 200+ jobs lost post-voluntary offers.
- Centennial: 49 programs halted for 2025-26.
- Seneca, Algonquin: Campus closures.
Recent provincial investments provide some relief, but colleges warn of inevitable further cuts without sustained support. For those navigating this landscape, resources like higher-ed-jobs on AcademicJobs.com can help with career transitions in Canada's post-secondary sector.
Stakeholder Perspectives: Optimism Tempered by Caution
President Vaughan framed the packages as 'difficult but necessary' choices after 'mindful stewardship.' She emphasized Humber's commitment to high-demand programs amid labor market needs. Conversely, Miloš Vasić of OPSEU Local 562 fears workload consolidation and non-replacement of departures, citing patterns at other colleges. Retired faculty like Mike Karapita worry about lost expertise impacting student mentoring.
Students may face program consolidations but benefit from targeted offerings. Explore faculty ratings and course insights at Rate My Professor to stay informed.
Impacts on Students, Faculty, and Educational Quality
Staff reductions risk overburdening remaining employees, potentially affecting service quality—from accessibility support to counseling, already cut by 35% since 2019 with more planned. Students in suspended programs like journalism or broadcasting-radio must pivot, though new STEM initiatives aim to align with job markets. Long-term, this could strain Humber's reputation as a career-focused polytechnic.President Vaughan's full blog.
Government Responses and Funding Outlook
Federal caps aim to ease housing pressures but have unintended fiscal blows to colleges. Ontario's recent $64 billion post-secondary boost and tuition freeze lift offer breathing room, yet 23% grant reliance underscores vulnerability. Humber advocates for policy reviews and domestic enrollment growth.
Check AcademicJobs.ca for Ontario higher ed opportunities amid shifts.
Strategies for Affected Staff and Future Prospects
For those considering exits, packages provide a financial bridge. Career advice includes upskilling via online programs and targeting growing sectors. AcademicJobs.com's higher-ed-career-advice offers resumes, CVs, and job search tips. Ontario's sector may rebound with policy tweaks, emphasizing domestic and high-demand intl recruitment.
Photo by chris robert on Unsplash
Looking Ahead: Resilience in Canadian Higher Education
Humber's voluntary exit packages signal adaptation, not defeat. With strategic pivots to STEM and advocacy, the polytechnic—and Ontario colleges—can navigate this storm. Professionals eyeing opportunities should monitor university-jobs and higher-ed-jobs; post a position at post-a-job. Rate professors and courses via Rate My Professor to guide decisions. Despite challenges, Canada's higher ed remains a vital economic driver.