Ontario colleges face an uncertain future as the federal international student cap drives program cuts and layoffs

Ontario's college sector is grappling with significant upheaval as tighter federal restrictions on international student visas force institutions to suspend programs and reduce services. Ottawa's decision to reduce study permit issuance to 408,000 in 2026 – down from 485,000 in 2024 – has prompted colleges to cut hundreds of programs and eliminate more than 8,000 positions. Students at institutions such as George Brown, Conestoga, and Fanshawe are experiencing reduced support services, including mental health resources and food programs, while popular programs in hospitality and other fields are being cancelled. Union representatives have called the changes "inhumane," particularly after Conestoga issued nearly 400 layoff notices just before the holidays, affecting both faculty and support staff across multiple campuses.

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