‘Significant number’ of layoffs coming to St. Lawrence College amid program cuts

More than 120 employees at St. Lawrence College are being laid off as the college looks to cut costs and programs. CTV’s Matt Skube reports.

St. Lawrence College (SLC) confirms it is making significant job cuts in the wake of its announcement that it is cutting 40 per cent of its programs next semester.

More than 120 employees will be affected.

The college, which has campuses in Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall, said last month that 55 programs would be suspended as it deals with financial shortfalls it blames on federal government policies.

In a statement Wednesday, SLC president and CEO Glenn Vollebregt said restructuring is taking place this week, affecting “a significant number” of positions at all three campuses.

“As part of our restructuring, management and administrative positions have been reduced by about 42 per cent and we will be reducing support staff by about 34 per cent over the next couple of days,” Vollebregt wrote.

“These changes are intended to help us be financially stable and able to deliver on our commitments, while ensuring we are focused on our core business.”

The college did not say precisely how many positions are affected. Vollebregt said SLC would not confirm specifics that could identify individuals impacted by organizational changes in order to preserve their privacy.

“Faculty positions will also be reduced, the process as outlined in the faculty collective agreement is underway and will be communicated to employees/members in alignment with the collective agreement,” he added.

Amanda Shaw, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU) Local 418, which represents support staff at St. Lawrence College, told CTV News Ottawa that 91 support staff and 33 managers are affected by the layoffs, which are still being announced.

Vollebregt said in January that federal government policies “drastically” affected the college’s ability to grow and operate and called the policies “short-sighted.” The federal government first announced a 35 per cent reduction on the number of international student study permits in January 2024, and announced a further reduction in September.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time as post-secondary institutions across the country make necessary changes to remain financially stable following the Federal government policy changes that have occurred since last year,” Vollebregt said in his statement on Wednesday.

Shaw said funding from the provincial government has been inadequate for years.

“The problem itself is chronic underfunding from the province,” she said. “While the changes to student visas had impacts, underfunding from the province has been happening for more than 20 years... It’s always been a problem.”

Shaw added that 27 support staff had been previously laid off in October.

This news comes the same week Ottawa’s Algonquin College announced it would be bringing a 16 per cent program cut to its board of directors this month, with 37 programs up for cancellation. Algonquin College also previously announced it would close its Perth, Ont. campus next year.