The Federal Student Cap: Triggering Ontario's College Revenue Collapse
The financial turmoil gripping Ontario's colleges stems directly from the federal government's cap on international student visas, implemented in early 2024 and tightened further in subsequent years. International students, who contributed approximately one-third of total revenue for many institutions, saw dramatic enrollment declines—ranging from 38% across the province to as high as 80% at individual colleges. This policy shift, aimed at addressing housing pressures and immigration sustainability, caught colleges off guard, as they had aggressively expanded programs and infrastructure to accommodate booming numbers pre-cap.
By 2026, Ontario's allocation for international students dropped to 70,074 spots—a 42% reduction from the previous year—with 96% reserved for public colleges and universities. Colleges Ontario reported that members had already slashed $1.8 billion in spending, suspended over 600 programs, and eliminated 8,000 jobs by late 2025, with more cuts looming. This structural revenue gap has ballooned into a projected sector-wide deficit of up to $1.5 billion, forcing administrators into survival mode.
Enrollment Freefall Hits Campuses Hard
Enrollment data paints a stark picture: first-year international student numbers plummeted 38% in fall 2025, exacerbating deficits already strained by frozen provincial tuition rates and stagnant operating grants. Publicly funded colleges, numbering 24 across Ontario, relied heavily on these fees to fund operations, faculty hires, and campus expansions. Without this lifeline, many now face multi-year structural shortfalls.
For context, Conestoga College in Kitchener-Waterloo, once a poster child for international growth, issued nearly 400 layoff notices in late 2025, including 181 full-time faculty effective March 2026. Similarly, Mohawk College in Hamilton projected a $50 million deficit, leading to 62 full-time layoffs and 10 vacant positions eliminated by early 2026. These aren't isolated incidents; the ripple effects touch every corner of the province's post-secondary ecosystem.
A Torrent of Layoffs and Program Suspensions
Layoffs have become the grim hallmark of this crisis. Estimates place total job losses at 10,000 to 11,000 across Ontario colleges since the cap's introduction—equivalent to a 17% workforce reduction, milder than the 45% enrollment drop but devastating nonetheless. Programs in high-demand fields like business, health sciences, and technology were hit hardest, with over 600 suspended province-wide.
- Centennial College: Suspended 49 programs amid a 43% international student drop.
- Georgian College: Cut 229 jobs to address a $45 million deficit.
- Fanshawe College: Grappling with a $50 million shortfall, suspending multiple offerings.
- St. Clair College: Facing a $55 million deficit for 2026-27.
- Algonquin College: Program closures and staff reductions due to enrollment crashes.
These measures preserve core domestic programs but erode capacity for career-focused training that fuels Ontario's economy in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and IT.
Spotlight on Leadership Pay: Sunshine List Exposes Disparities
As faculties and support staff face pink slips, the 2025 Ontario Sunshine List—released in March 2026—revealed steady or rising compensation at the executive level. The top five college presidents averaged $507,000, a 3% increase from 2024, despite the chaos below.
| College | President | 2025 Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Conestoga | John Tibbits | $601,684 |
| Fleming | Maureen Adamson | $512,428 |
| Humber | (Unnamed) | ~$497,000 |
| Seneca | David Agnew | >$476,000 + benefits |
| Mohawk | (Unnamed) | $445,167 |
Conestoga's Tibbits, who departed recently, saw his pay dip slightly from $636,107 in 2024 but remained an outlier. Fleming's Adamson enjoyed a 43% jump in her final year. Humber defended its president's package as benchmarked against peers, set independently by the board. Yet, with four of these top earners' institutions announcing layoffs, the optics fueled outrage. For deeper insights, see the Global News analysis.
Government Scrutiny and Political Firestorm
Skills Development Minister Nolan Quinn responded to the Sunshine List, declaring the government "paying attention" to executive pay. He singled out Conestoga as "egregious," stressing that the $6.4 billion in provincial investment must prioritize student services. "If anyone’s out of line with the sector average, we will be paying attention," Quinn said, though no immediate caps were announced.
Opposition voices amplified the call: NDP Leader Marit Stiles decried 10,000 job cuts alongside CEO salaries, questioning priorities. Liberals urged responsible taxpayer spending. Colleges Ontario warns of inevitable further cuts without $1.1 billion in grants, tuition relief, and innovation funding.
Voices from the Trenches: Faculty, Unions, and Students
Unions like OPSEU have led the charge, highlighting how top executives pocket half-million salaries while 11,000 workers lose jobs. Faculty report morale plummeting amid hiring freezes and voluntary exits failing to stem involuntary cuts. Students face reduced course options, larger classes, and uncertainty—especially in rural and French-language colleges hit harder by enrollment drops.
"This is a crucial moment," urged Colleges Ontario's former CEO Maureen Adamson. "The current funding model is no longer sustainable." Domestic students, comprising the majority, now shoulder indirect burdens through diminished program quality and campus services.
Case Studies: Colleges Navigating the Storm
Conestoga College exemplifies the paradox: Despite Tibbits' high pay and repeated layoffs (400+ notices), it remains Ontario's enrollment leader but warns of campus closures. Mohawk's $50 million deficit prompted targeted staff reductions, yet its president earned $445,000. Humber and Seneca, with steady executive pay, underwent restructuring post-voluntary programs.
Smaller institutions like Fleming face amplified pain, with rural campuses vulnerable. These cases underscore a sector-dependent on volatile international revenue, slow to diversify amid frozen tuitions since 2019.
Broader Implications for Higher Education and the Economy
Ontario's college crisis threatens workforce pipelines in key industries. Programs in skilled trades, nursing aides, and tech support—vital for the province's auto, health, and tech sectors—are scaled back. With 64% postsecondary attainment targeted by 2025 already strained, reduced access hits equity groups hardest: Indigenous, low-income, and first-generation students.
Explore related financial pressures in Canadian higher ed via the Toronto Star's coverage.
Charting a Sustainable Path Forward
Solutions demand multi-stakeholder action: Revise the funding formula (under review), lift tuition freezes, incentivize domestic enrollment, and diversify revenue via industry partnerships and online offerings. Colleges eye AI training hubs and micro-credentials for quick pivots. Government signals potential one-time supports, but long-term reform is key.
- Increase operating grants by $1.1 billion.
- Targeted funds for rural/French colleges ($100 million innovation pool).
- Align allocations with economic needs, not just enrollment history.
For those in higher ed, this underscores resilience: Faculty and admins adapting to leaner times, with opportunities in emerging fields.
Outlook: Resilience Amid Reform
While 2026 brings more pain—further intl allocations down, deficits mounting—Ontario colleges show adaptability. Recent partnerships, like Ontario Tech's AI accelerator, signal hope. Yet, without bold policy shifts, the presidents' steady salaries risk symbolizing deeper inequities. Stakeholders urge unity: Prioritize students, faculty, and fiscal prudence to rebuild a robust system serving Canada's future workforce.
For career advice in this shifting landscape, professionals may find value in exploring intl student impacts.
