Algonquin College board of governors votes to suspend 30 programs

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Algonquin College cuts 30 more programs

Algonquin College students express concerns as potential program cuts loom

Algonquin College’s board of governors has voted to suspend 30 programs, as the college faces funding shortfalls and a decline in international enrolment.

The board was originally scheduled to vote on the recommendation on Feb. 23, but the vote was delayed after the Ontario government announced $6.4 billion in additional funding for colleges and universities and lifted the tuition freeze.

Last week, college President Claude Brulé said the college must proceed with “financial mitigation efforts” despite the new funding from the Ontario government.

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“Algonquin College welcomes this investment, which provides needed stability and reinforces the essential role colleges play in powering Ontario’s workforce and economy,” Brulé said in a letter to employees provided to CTV News Ottawa.

“The College has since received additional information from the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and has begun incorporating it into its operational outlook. What remains clear is that financial mitigation efforts must continue to ensure the College’s long-term sustainability. This includes aligning programming with enrolment demand, labour market needs, Provincial priorities, and financial reality.”

Students currently enrolled in the programs that are to be suspended will be able to complete their studies. No new students will be admitted to the 30 programs starting in the fall.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting, Brulé said the college could not delay this decision any further.

“Bringing program recommendations one at a time or dealing with each program individually would considerably lengthen processes leading to decisions,” he said. “This is why the program suspensions are coming to you as a consolidated list, representing our strategy for shaping the program portfolio as a whole, for future stability, sustainability, and growth.”

Board chair Rodney Wilson said the cuts are not coming because there is anything wrong with the programs in question.

“Graduates have and continue to make valuable contributions across the city, the province, and the country,” he said. “These are well-taught programs by dedicated, passionate, expertly qualified faculty. By every measure, they’ve been a historical and important success.”

Algonquin College senior vice president of academics Julie Beauchamp said the decision came following significant effort and not without difficulty.

“Our intent is not to reduce the portfolio for the sake of reduction,” she said. “Our intent is to reset and renew the portfolio so that we can invest where demand is strong, deliver with quality, and sustain the college over the long term, even as we acknowledge how difficult and personal these impacts feel across our community.”

Beauchamp said the college has taken several steps to cut costs, including reducing discretionary spending, suspending non-essential activities, and reducing administrative layers, but declining enrollment is putting too much pressure on the school.

“And at this point, the question is not whether these programs are valued. The question is whether the college can continue to operate programs,” she said.

According to a presentation to the board, domestic enrolment was down 10 per cent year over year in the winter of 2026, and international enrolment was down 53 per cent.

“The budget shortfall related to unmet international student enrolment alone is more than $4.7 million,” Beauchamp said.

“Over the past year, changes in federal and provincial policy have materially altered the environment for colleges, particularly with respect to international recruitment and the attractiveness of many programs. We are seeing permit refusals, job market shifts, and increased deferrals,” she said.

Of the 30 affected programs, Beauchamp said seven will continue to be offered at another campus, two have already been replaced by other programs at the college, one was dissolved as part of a provincial directive, four faced intake suspensions due to low enrolment, 13 are not eligible for post-graduate work permits, and three are facing growing financial losses.

“Again, this recommendation reflects a disciplined application of the portfolio framework, using both qualitative and quantitative factors,” she said. “And it aligns with our responsibility to ensure academic sustainability over time.”

Last year, Algonquin College cut 37 academic programs and four dormant programs and closed its campus in Perth, Ont. to cover a major financial deficit. Operations at the Perth Campus are scheduled to wind down by the end of August.

Here is the list of programs to be suspended at Algonquin College:

Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence

• Sustainable Architectural Design
• Horticultural Industries
• Horticulture Techniques – Apprenticeship

Pembroke Campus

• Business (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Business Fundamentals (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Computer Programming (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus and AC Online)
• Environmental Management and Assessment (Program still offered at the Ottawa Campus)

School of Advanced Technology

• Manufacturing Engineering Technician

Faculty of Arts and Media Design

• Pathways to Indigenous Empowerment (New Indigenous Studies programs offered)
• Applied Museum Studies
• Design Foundations
• General Arts and Science – Aboriginal (New Indigenous Studies programs offered)
• Journalism
• Music, Media and Film Foundations
• General Arts and Science (except English for Academic Purposes)
• Music Industry Arts
• Illustration and Concept Art

School of Business and Hospitality

• Bachelor of Culinary Arts & Food Science (Honours)
• Bartending
• Business Development and Sales
• Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management
• Tourism – Travel
• Law Clerk
• Event Management
• Financial Services
• Paralegal

School of Health Studies

• Pre-Health Pathway to Certificates and Diplomas
• Pre-Health Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees (Program still offered at Pembroke Campus)

School of Wellness, Public Safety & Community Studies

• Recreation and Leisure Services
• Fitness and Health Promotion (Program still offered through AC Online)