Algonquin College’s decision to cut programs at its campuses in Ottawa and Pembroke starting this fall could impact recruitment in several City of Ottawa departments, according to the city. The board of governors at Algonquin College voted Monday evening to suspend 30 programs as it deals with a decline in international enrolment and what the college called “prevailing provincial funding shortfalls.” The programs being suspended include bartending, horticulture, journalism, music industry arts, paralegal and law clerk programs, tourism – travel, event management, financial services, recreation and leisure services, and pre-health pathway to certificates and diplomas. In a memo distributed to Ottawa councillors Wednesday evening, the city said nine of the program cancellations may impact recruitment efforts. “Overall, the city has benefited geographically from Algonquin College and the potential loss in program offerings may cause competition among Ontario municipalities for the same talent,” said a document called “Internal organizational scan – Potential Algonquin College program cuts and City of Ottawa Impacts.” “The direct impact to City services as a result of potential employment and recruitment challenges is not known.” The city says Algonquin College’s decision to suspend the programs will impact the following areas at City Hall: The city says “minimal to no impacts” are anticipated in several departments, including Transit Services, Emergency and Protective Services, the Ottawa Public Library, Ottawa Public Health, the Office of the City Clerk, Community and Social Services, Infrastructure and Water Services, Strategic Initiatives and Planning, Development and Building Services. Council approved a motion from Coun. Laine Johnson to send a letter to Algonquin College president Claude Brulé and Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn outlining the potential impacts to city services if Algonquin College suspended the programs. The Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas, the Ottawa Festival Network, the Canadian Live Music Association, the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, Metropolitain Brasserie, the Ottawa Film Office and other organizations have sent letters to Algonquin College to oppose the program cuts. “The programs Algonquin College identified for elimination are talent attraction mechanisms for our local economy,” the Ottawa Coalition of Business Improvement Areas said in the letter. “Programs such as Hospitality (Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management), Tourism (Travel), Event Management, Recreation and Leisure Services, and the Honours Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science draw students to Ottawa from across Ontario and beyond. These students contribute immediately to our economy as employees in restaurants, cafés, retail shops, festivals, and events. These are sectors that form the backbone of our main streets and commercial districts.” The letter adds, “Eliminating or significantly reducing these programs will result in shrinking Ottawa’s talent pipeline at a time when the City is primed for economic growth. This also poses a risk of losing local entrepreneurship. Colleges are central to this.”
