Sask. Polytech issues 30 layoff notices in latest wave of cuts

Saskatchewan Polytechnic says 30 employees have received layoff notices as part of its annual operational review. Jasmine Pelletier reports.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic says 30 employees have received layoff notices as part of its annual operational review.

The latest layoffs affect 18 faculty members, nine professional services employees and three out‑of‑scope employees.

Sask. Polytech says it continues to face “significant challenges” in the international education environment and does not expect international enrolment to rebound in the next academic year.

The institution says the decisions were difficult and not made lightly.

“This is a challenging time for Sask. Polytech,” the school said in a statement. “Throughout this period, our focus is on our students and on our mission, to inspire success in every learning journey.”

Out of respect for affected employees, Sask. Polytech says it will not release details about specific positions, departments or programs impacted by the layoffs.

• Get the latest news from Saskatoon, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The layoffs follow what the institution has described as a substantial revenue shortfall for the 2025‑26 academic year.

Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said the institution has not indicated further cuts at this time.

“They haven’t indicated anything more, but I know this month, April, is kind of the month where they make those decisions for the entire year,” he told reporters. “So, you know, I said, let me know as soon as you know, and that’s what happened here with Sask. Poly.”

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic announces more layoffs 

The Ministry of Advanced Education said in a statement provided to CTV that in the 2026-27 budget, Saskatchewan Polytechnic is receiving $187 million in operating funding, an increase of eight per cent from last year.

“Saskatchewan Polytechnic will continue to receive three per cent increases to operating funding each year under its new multi-year funding agreement,” the statement read.

Sask. Polytech also told CTV that the actual financial impact of the decline in international student enrolment cannot be disclosed at this time, adding the layoffs are spread across all four campus locations.

In February, Sask. Polytech laid off 23 full‑time and part‑time employees, in addition to about 100 layoffs carried out throughout 2025.

The cuts come amid growing criticism from staff and faculty earlier this month, who accused Sask. Polytech’s leadership of mismanagement and eroding the institution from within.

• Saskatchewan Polytechnic exec. salaries, program cuts draw concern 

SGEU, the union representing over 750 front-line professional workers at Sask. Polytech, said managers are calling for fiscal restraint while claiming record-setting compensation.

Staff members said the words ring hollow when the top three executives cost the institution over $1.3 million annually.

According to Sask. Polytech’s 2024-25 payee disclosure report, there are 21 employees earning over $200,000 a year, all administrators.

While the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) has hundreds of staff who earn more than $200,000 a year, many of them are academics — not uncommon for a research-intensive university with a medical school that requires highly-specialized faculty and annual expenses of around $1.2 billion.

With files from Rory MacLean