Fanshawe College’s president Peter Devlin is helping spearhead a campaign looking for a significant cash injection for colleges across the province. Uncertainty in the world economy fueled largely by U.S. tariffs and policy volatility sparked the Ford government to launch the Protect Ontario campaign, with a goal of building a more diverse and resilient provincial economy. Devlin said Ontario colleges should be seen as central to that effort, “The choices made today will shape Ontario’s workforce and communities for years to come.” On Wednesday, Devlin addressed the committee of MPPs traveling the province as part of pre-budget consultations. He stressed the importance of the training colleges provide, “By 2035, the province will need one million college graduates in skilled trades, healthcare, energy, advanced manufacturing. Colleges supply more than half of the workforce in these sectors.” But Devlin also noted that colleges are facing dramatic funding shortfalls. In 2025, Fanshawe slashed 40 programs, eliminating 35 per cent of its workforce. That accounted for about 400 jobs. He said, even with those cuts, Fanshawe’s deficit is $26 million and is projected to be $70 million over the next two years. He explained to CTV News, “The funding deficit is the result of a few things. Stagnant provincial funding. Also, the cap on international students that was imposed by the federal government. And thirdly, tuition rates. They were reduced by 10 per cent in 2019 and frozen.” Devlin said colleges need a significant cash injection just to maintain current program levels, “The sector 24 public colleges is looking for an investment of $1.5 billion. That’s just to sustain us at the level that we’re at.” Committee member and Haldimand-Norfolk independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady raised concerns that the Fanshawe campus in her region appears to have many students not from the area, and was looking for assurances that would change, “If we shift to domestic focused students, what rebranding would Fanshawe College do to attract those kids who feel abandoned?” Devlin told the committee, “I think it’s the relevancy of the programs in the local industries that are supported by that region. And I am entirely committed to supporting those programs.” But Devlin stressed that regional campuses could be at risk if funding levels aren’t adjusted. Devlin said Fanshawe drives $1.6 billion worth of economic benefits, with all colleges generating more than $20 billion for the provincial economy.
