Cambrian College cuts 6 programs due to international student cap

A Cambrian College welcome sign at the school's Sudbury campus. April 30, 2025 (File photo/CTV News Northern Ontario)

A small group of second-year students stopped by the International Student Services office at Cambrian College on Friday to get advice about their study permits.

They’re just some of the 1,400 international students enrolled at the post-secondary school in Sudbury.

“Last September, last fall term, we had about 2,600. So, there’s been a significant drop,” said Dan Lessard, the institution’s manager of communications.

That decline is due to the cap implemented by the federal government in 2024, reducing the number of study permits by 35 per cent. Another cap, with a 10 per cent reduction, was included in the recent federal budget.

It’s news that has resulted in the board at college suspending six more programs, after it suspended 10 last Spring for the same reason.

“All six of those programs relied on international students to make them sustainable and viable. But they have been removed from the federal government’s list of programs that are eligible for post-graduate work permits,” Lessard said.

Three of the programs impacted are graduate programs within the School of Business: Data Analytics, Marketing Management and Supply Chain Management. The others are Fitness and Health Promotions, Corporate Safety and Security and Community and Justice Services.

“That doesn’t mean the programs are cancelled forever. It just means that at this current point we’re suspending intake of new students,” said Lessard.

Students already in these programs can graduate with full credentials.

The move impacts six faculty members. Lessard said the school is still working with the unions to keep them on.

The federal move to reduce study permits to Canada significantly alters how Cambrian College will market itself to potential international students.

“Really emphasizing that Canada has a world-class education system, a world class college system and it’s a great place to come to be educated – even if you’re not planning on moving here to live here,” Lessard said.

Despite the recent suspension of programs, Cambrian is expected to make an announcement soon about new additions to its course offerings. Although Lessard was tight-lipped on what those would be, he did say they’re based on market demand.