Concordia warns of more job cuts as it tries to balance budget

Concordia University's downtown campus is shown in Montreal, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. The university today issued a formal apology to Black communities for the harm caused by institutional racism and in particular for events that led to a landmark 1969 student protest. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Concordia University is warning students and staff that there will be more job cuts and reductions in some programs in an effort to balance its books.

In a statement sent Wednesday to faculty and staff, the Montreal university said it recently approved its budget for the coming fiscal year, but more cuts are needed because of a $35-million shortfall.

Higher education institutions in Quebec have faced declining enrolment after the Quebec government imposed major tuition fee increases for out-of-province students.

The university said the decline seems to be stabilizing, but it has no choice but to impose a six per cent cut on the operating budget of most sectors. Concordia indicated it will certainly lead to staff reduction and “painful choices,” adding that “layoffs are expected to be necessary to meet our financial obligations.” It declined to say how many staffers might be affected.

A hiring freeze remains in effect after not enough staff agreed to take voluntary severance packages.

The university said it’s now looking at new revenue streams through undergraduate microprograms and other similar avenues.