Understanding the Scope of Centennial College's Program Suspensions

Toronto's Centennial College, one of Ontario's largest community colleges, made headlines in early 2025 when it announced the suspension of 49 full-time programs for the 2025-26 academic year. This decision represented approximately 28 percent of its previous offerings of 177 programs. The move was a direct response to a projected 43 percent decline in new international student enrollments, equating to nearly 5,000 fewer students in a single cycle from summer 2024 through winter 2025. College President Craig Stephenson highlighted in a letter to staff that these financial pressures, compounded by longstanding domestic funding shortfalls, necessitated tough choices to ensure the institution's long-term viability.

Importantly, these suspensions do not equate to permanent closures. Current students enrolled in affected programs are guaranteed the opportunity to complete their studies and graduate. Programs remain under review, with potential for reinstatement based on shifting enrollment patterns and labor market demands. By mid-2025, the college clarified that the total reached 54 suspensions—49 in January and five more in March—amid ongoing adjustments.

Affected Programs and Their Fields

The suspended programs span a diverse array of disciplines, many of which relied heavily on international student interest. Key examples include Fashion Business and Management, Tourism and Travel, Construction Project Management, Journalism, Advanced Television and Film Script to Screen, 3D Animation, Advanced Police Studies, Applied Aerospace Manufacturing, Broadcasting, Business Management variants, and Cannabis Applied Science. Creative and media-related offerings were particularly hard-hit, including programs at the Story Arts Centre campus.

More recent updates for the 2026-27 academic year added suspensions such as Computer Repair and Maintenance, Electronics Engineering Technology (fast-track), Food Science Technology, Environmental Technician, Environmental Technology, Storytelling with Data, Children’s Media, and Lifestyle Media. Conversely, some reinstatements offer hope, including the Honours Bachelor of Public Relations Management, Community Development Work, and Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Management.

• Fashion Business and Management
• Tourism and Travel
• Construction Project Management
• Journalism
• Advanced Television and Film
• 3D Animation
• Advanced Police Studies
• Broadcasting
• Cannabis Applied Science
• Computer Repair and Maintenance (2026-27)

This list underscores the breadth of impacts, from practical trades to creative arts, reflecting programs with lower domestic uptake.

Root Causes: Federal Study Permit Caps and Enrollment Drops

The catalyst is Canada's federal cap on international study permits, introduced in 2024 to address housing pressures and program quality concerns. Initially set at 485,000 permits for 2024, it dropped to 437,000 for 2025-26. Provincial allocations prioritized universities over colleges, leaving Ontario colleges facing a 42 percent reduction to 70,074 spots for 2026. Nationally, new student arrivals plunged 97 percent in some months, with overall international student numbers down 26 percent year-over-year by August 2025.

Centennial, like many Ontario colleges, depended on international tuition—often 50-70 percent of revenue—for sustainability. The 43 percent drop translated to massive shortfalls, prompting suspensions to avoid deficits that could jeopardize core operations. Ontario colleges collectively face over $4.6 billion in lost revenue through 2026.

Broader Impacts Across Ontario and Canadian Colleges

Centennial is not alone. Fanshawe College announced 163 layoffs despite provincial funding boosts, St. Clair College paused programs, and Loyalist and Northern Colleges face deep cuts. Memorial University and others have suspended low-enrollment programs. The ripple effects include staff reductions, campus consolidations, and a shift toward domestic-focused offerings.

Ontario's post-secondary sector anticipates $6.4 billion in investments needed to offset losses, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities. Colleges, designed for applied learning and high international appeal, bear the brunt compared to research-heavy universities.Explore Ontario's funding reforms here.

Photo by Keming Tan on Unsplash

Student Perspectives and Challenges

Prospective and current students express dismay. International applicants, who invested in applications and visas, face disrupted dreams, with one CTV report noting it "breaks all hope." Domestic students worry about reduced options in niche fields like animation or environmental tech. Transitions for suspended programs require careful planning, though the college assures continuity.

To navigate this, students should check Centennial's program availability page regularly and consider alternatives like reinstated programs or transfers.

Institutional Responses and Adaptations

Centennial is relocating its Story Arts Centre programs to Progress Campus by summer 2026, centralizing resources in modern facilities. This includes media, arts, and design offerings, aiming to boost efficiency. The college emphasizes over 100 remaining programs in high-demand areas like business, health care, and engineering technology.

Reinstatements signal responsiveness: Public Relations Management returns amid growing industry needs. Broader strategies involve labor market alignment and advocacy for fairer provincial allocations.Tailor your applications with career advice.

Stakeholder Views: Government, Unions, and Experts

Federal Immigration Minister emphasizes provincial responsibility for allocations, while Ontario prioritizes labor needs. Unions like OPSEU track suspensions across colleges, warning of broader job losses. Experts predict a healthier sector long-term but urge increased domestic funding. Balanced views note caps curb exploitation while exposing over-reliance on international revenue.

For jobs in higher ed, visit AcademicJobs higher ed jobs.

Future Outlook and Potential Solutions

Looking to 2026-27, further adjustments loom with national permit targets potentially at 155,000-408,000. Colleges may diversify via online offerings, apprenticeships, and domestic recruitment. Centennial's agility—suspending low-demand, reinstating viable—positions it well. Policymakers discuss funding reforms, like Ontario's $64B boost ending tuition freezes.

Prospective students: Research alternatives, build strong profiles for competitive spots. Explore Canadian academic opportunities.

Photo by Dave Lowe on Unsplash

Actionable Advice for Students and Educators

• Monitor official sites for updates.
• Consider transferable credits or similar programs at other colleges.
• Leverage career services for job market insights.
• International applicants: Target master's exemptions or provincial priorities.
• Educators: Upskill in high-demand fields via higher ed career advice.

Rate professors at Rate My Professor to inform choices.