The Proposed Suspensions: A List of 30 Programs at Risk

Algonquin College, a prominent public college in Ottawa, Ontario, has put forward recommendations to suspend intake into approximately 30 academic programs starting in the fall of 2026. This move comes as part of a broader strategy to address enrollment volatility and ensure long-term financial sustainability. The full list, detailed on the college's operational updates page, spans multiple schools and campuses, including the Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence, Faculty of Arts and Media Design, School of Business and Hospitality, and others.

Key programs recommended for suspension include:

• Horticultural Industries (diploma program)
• Horticulture Techniques – Apprenticeship (certificate program)
• Sustainable Architectural Design
• Journalism
• Paralegal
• Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management
• Financial Services
• Event Management
• Bachelor of Culinary Arts & Food Science (Honours)
• Recreation and Leisure Services

Some suspensions are campus-specific, such as Business Fundamentals at the Pembroke Campus, while core offerings continue at the main Ottawa campus or online. Existing students in these programs would be allowed to complete their studies, minimizing immediate disruption. This follows a previous round of 37 program suspensions approved in 2025, which also led to the closure of the Perth campus after the 2025-26 academic year.

The recommendations were initially slated for review by the college's Board of Governors on February 23, 2026, but have since been postponed for further evaluation.

Focus on Horticulture: Eastern Ontario's Only Specialized Programs

🌿 Among the programs drawing significant attention are the horticulture offerings, which stand out for their hands-on training in plant care, landscape design, and sustainable practices. The Horticultural Industries diploma equips students with skills in greenhouse management, turf care, and arboriculture, while the Horticulture Techniques – Apprenticeship certificate prepares apprentices for trade certification through practical fieldwork and classroom instruction.

These programs are unique in eastern Ontario, serving as a primary pipeline for skilled workers in landscaping, nurseries, and urban forestry. Program coordinator Tommy Wingreen emphasizes their alignment with the college's mandate to supply the local workforce. Graduates often enter the field immediately, with many launching successful ventures like Pontiac Gardens or advancing to supervisory roles at firms such as Horticare Landscaping.

The hands-on nature of the curriculum—including real-world projects in soil science, pest management, and irrigation systems—provides invaluable experience that theoretical learning alone cannot replicate. Students like first-year apprentice Mia Hoover highlight how this practical approach "drills in the information," making it a cornerstone for career readiness in a sector facing labor shortages.

Root Causes: Enrollment Decline Driven by International Student Caps

The push for suspensions stems primarily from a sharp drop in enrollment, exacerbated by federal government policies on international students. In 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced a cap on study permits, limiting approvals to 360,000 for 2024 and further reducing allocations in subsequent years. This policy aimed to ease housing pressures and ensure program quality but triggered widespread financial strain across Canadian postsecondary institutions.

Algonquin College, which relied heavily on international tuition revenue, projected a $32 million shortfall for 2024-25 due to nearly 2,400 fewer incoming international students. Overall enrollment fell by significant margins, with domestic demand failing to fill the gap in many vocational programs. Low-enrollment programs, defined by thresholds like fewer than a certain number of full-time equivalents over multiple years, became financially unviable under fixed provincial funding models.

This mirrors a national trend: Ontario colleges reported enrollment drops of 20-50% in international cohorts, leading to deficits and operational reviews. For context, prior to the caps, international students comprised up to 50% of enrollment at some institutions, subsidizing lower-tuition domestic spots.

Landscaping Industry Raises Alarms Over Talent Pipeline Loss

The proposed horticulture suspensions have ignited concerns from Ontario's landscaping sector, which employs over 88,000 workers across 12,000 establishments and continues to grow. Landscape Ontario President Joe Salemi warned that cutting the programs would "drain the industry's local talent pool," describing Algonquin's graduates as a "steady stream of qualified workers ready to start immediately."

Business owners like Susan Berduhn of Horticare Landscaping, who sponsors co-op students from the program, called it "very difficult" to replace this talent amid rising demand for green infrastructure projects. The sector supports urban beautification, food security initiatives, and climate adaptation efforts, with job prospects for horticulturists rated strong in Ontario through 2029. Job Bank Canada forecasts 6,400 openings for landscape and horticulture technicians nationwide from 2024-2033, underscoring the mismatch between cuts and market needs.

Advocates argue that suspending these programs ignores the economic contributions of horticulture, a key component of Canada's $1.78 billion horticulture market, and could hinder biodiversity and sustainability goals.

Student Perspectives: 'Short-Sighted' Cuts Threaten Futures

Horticulture students and alumni have mobilized against the recommendations, labeling them "short-sighted." Casey Griffiths, a first-year diploma student with prior industry experience, stressed the need to "keep pushing environmental studies forward," warning of long-term regrets. Terri-Lyn Blaskie, a graduate who now teaches construction, shared her devastation, crediting the program for shaping her career trajectory.

Support has poured in via social media campaigns and industry petitions, with students urging the board to consider program revitalization strategies like marketing boosts or partnerships. Affected students face uncertainty but are assured pathways to complete credentials, potentially transferring to related offerings or online alternatives.

A Wider Crisis: Program Cuts Sweep Ontario Colleges

Algonquin is not alone; the international student cap has prompted similar actions province-wide. St. Clair College paused additional programs in early 2026, while Cambrian, Loyalist, and others suspended dozens amid 23-52% enrollment drops. Northern colleges like Canadore reported program closures due to a 300,000-student national shortfall.

This retrenchment reflects a dependency on international revenue: pre-cap, it offset stagnant provincial grants and tuition freezes. Institutions now scramble to attract domestic students through micro-credentials and priority sectors like skilled trades, but vocational programs like horticulture suffer from perceived lower prestige despite strong employability.

Algonquin's official FAQs provide transparency on criteria, prioritizing sustainability while protecting quality education.

Provincial Lifeline: Ontario's $6.4 Billion Postsecondary Boost

In a pivotal development, the Ontario government announced $6.4 billion in new funding over four years on February 12, 2026, prompting Algonquin to pause its board vote. The package includes a new funding formula, an end to the tuition freeze (in place since 2019), and support for 70,000 additional in-demand seats, raising base funding to $7 billion annually—a 30% increase.

Enhanced Student Access Guarantee (SAG) negotiations aim to stabilize revenues, with priority on high-demand areas. Algonquin President Claude Brulé noted the need to assess allocations, as much targets new seats rather than existing programs. This intervention offers hope, potentially averting or scaling back suspensions.

Uncertain Path Forward: What Happens Next?

As of February 23, 2026, the Board of Governors has rescheduled deliberations pending a full review of the funding impacts. The college emphasizes data-driven decisions aligning with labor market demands, student interests, and fiscal health. Possible outcomes include full approvals, partial revivals via partnerships, or mergers with similar programs.

Stakeholders watch closely, with industry groups like Landscape Ontario advocating for exemptions in green economy fields. For prospective students, exploring Ottawa higher ed opportunities or alternatives remains key.

Impacts on Careers and Alternatives for Aspiring Horticulturists

If suspended, students could pivot to online equivalents, related diplomas in environmental technology, or apprenticeships elsewhere. Ontario's horticulture demand persists, with 87% full-time employment rates surpassing averages. Graduates earn competitive wages, often starting at $20-25/hour, scaling with certification.

Check higher ed jobs in agriculture or career advice for resumes tailored to green sectors. Institutions like Niagara College offer comparable programs, ensuring pathways persist.

Job Market Strength: Why Horticulture Remains Vital

Despite challenges, Canada's horticulture sector thrives, dominating agriculture with 62,000 workers in greenhouses and nurseries. Ontario's green careers grew over five years, fueled by urbanization and sustainability mandates. Job Bank rates prospects good, with roles in landscape architecture, urban farming, and climate-resilient design.

• Projected openings: 6,400 for technicians (2024-2033)
• Full-time dominance: 87% vs. 81% average
• Key skills: Plant pathology, sustainable irrigation, GIS mapping

Explore university jobs or research assistant roles blending horticulture with tech.

Photo by CRYSTALWEED cannabis on Unsplash

Lessons for Higher Education: Balancing Sustainability and Demand

This saga highlights vulnerabilities in Canada's postsecondary model, overly reliant on international flux. Solutions include diversified revenue, targeted marketing, and government alignment on priority trades. For students eyeing faculty positions or administration, such shifts underscore adaptability.

Prospective enrollees should rate programs via Rate My Professor and consult higher ed career advice. As Algonquin navigates this, it reinforces the need for resilient, market-responsive education.