‘An especially difficult and heavy time’: Humber Polytechnic says layoffs needed to address financial woes

Humber Polytechnic will move ahead with planned layoffs of faculty and support staff after a voluntary exit program aimed at addressing the college’s financial struggles did not hit its targets.

“While the (Voluntary Employee Exit Program) saw strong participation, it did not fully address the projected fiscal gap for 2026–27. As a result, we must still proceed with involuntary employee reductions,” Ann Marie Vaughan, Humber Polytechnic president and CEO, wrote in a statement dated March 24, 2026.

The college began offering the exit packages last month after Vaughan said “more fundamental” actions were required to address its budgeting shortfalls.

The letter didn’t say how many employees took part in the program, or how many will be laid off going forward, but said three members of its senior executive team will be leaving in the coming months.

Vaughan said administrative staff layoffs have now concluded. Support staff and faculty layoffs will proceed “in accordance with the relevant collective agreements” and are expected to begin shortly, she said.

Humber is not the only post-secondary institution in Ontario facing financial pressure.

Colleges across the province, including Fanshawe, Sheridan, and Georgian, have already cut $1.4 billion in costs, suspended more than 600 programs and eliminated 8,000 positions to offset a cap on international students (who pay much higher tuition fees than domestic students) imposed by the federal government in 2024.

A freeze on tuition fees introduced by the province in 2019 added to the problem. That was reversed in February as the government announced an additional $6.4 billion for the sector over four years. Premier Doug Ford was asked about Humber’s situation at a news conference that month, saying: “I wish them all the best... Run it like a business.”

Vaughan said an interim executive structure will come into effect on March 30, adding that this is an “especially difficult and heavy time” for the college’s community.

“Many colleagues have been directly impacted in recent days, others are supporting teammates through loss and transition, and some are living with uncertainty about what lies ahead in the weeks to come. I want to sincerely acknowledge the emotional toll this takes and to thank all colleagues for the care, kindness, and professionalism you continue to show one another and our students.”

Union says it was iced out of layoff talks

In a letter to union members viewed by CTV News, OPSEU 562’s leadership team says it was not consulted regarding any plans for potential layoffs and requests to meet with Humber’s administration to discuss employment stability were “repeatedly denied.”

“Like you, we are disappointed and angry to see that the college is proceeding with involuntary employee reductions for Faculty and Support Staff despite strong domestic enrollment, additional funding from the Government of Ontario, and many years of budget surpluses,” the union said.

Members were advised in the letter to update their CVs as a “proactive measure” and to email their associate dean or senior dean to ask about the plans for their program area and faculty.

Milos Vasic is the president of the Humber Faculty Union and professor of liberal studies at the college.

He said what’s followed the letter is “a lot of uncertainty,” pointing out that its unclear if the faculty-specific layoffs will target professors in program areas with low enrolment or if full-time professors will be replaced with part-time teachers across the board to save money.

“If it’s the latter, then we’re in for a fight.”

Vasic said he has not been told how many Humber employees need to be laid off to make ends meet. He also has not been briefed on how big the school’s financial hole is.

“They are keeping their cards very close to their chest. They are not divulging that.”

With files from Joanna Lavoie and Beth Macdonell