Sask. Polytechnic warns more cuts could come in the months ahead

WATCH: Sask. Polytechnic warns more cuts could be coming in the months ahead. The school has already laid off more than 100 staff since April.

Saskatchewan’s predominant technical and trade school says it remains committed to its students in the wake of another round of staff layoffs announced earlier this week.

The latest cuts — affecting 25 faculty members — are part of over 100 layoffs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic since April, as the school faces plummeting revenue from a decline in enrolment from international students.

“Due to federal immigration policy changes, post-secondary institutions across Canada are experiencing a significant decline in international student enrolment,” Sask. Polytech said in a news release Friday.

International students had become a lucrative market for post-secondary schools in Canada, as they paid a premium on tuition. According to Sask. Polytech President Larry Rosia, 12,000 jobs have been lost in the higher education sector across the country because of the new immigration restrictions.

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

Sask. Polytech says the number of international students attending its schools has declined by 40 per cent this year, “creating a substantial revenue shortfall for the 2025-26 academic year.”

“As a result, Sask. Polytech has made the difficult decision to issue layoff notices to 87 full-time and part-time employees over the past few months. This includes faculty and professional services employees,” the school said in the release.

“Earlier this summer 14 out-of-scope employees were also given layoff notices. Approximately 71 vacant positions have not been filled. We are deeply grateful for the contributions of all affected employees.”

The school says it based its decisions on a review of enrolment trends, financial data and government announcements.

“Action was delayed ensuring decisions were informed by the most current and accurate information, minimizing disruption.”

The school has declined to share information about specific positions or programs affected by the cuts.

Last March, the provincial government extended a funding memorandum of understanding with Sask. Polytech for an additional year so both sides could explore the impacts the federal international student cap would have.

A new multi-year funding agreement has not yet been reached.

For now, Sask. Polytech is hinting that more cuts may be coming.

“As Sask. Polytech continues to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, more challenging decisions may be required in the months ahead.”

-With files from Keenan Sorokan