Conestoga College is set to lay off nearly 180 employees in its second round of job cuts in less than a month. The decision follows a notable drop in student enrolment, which the college attributes to broader challenges within Ontario’s post-secondary sector.
Termination notices were issued on Tuesday to members of OPSEU Local 238, the union representing the college’s full-time support staff. In a statement, Conestoga cited recent policy changes affecting international students and the provincial enrolment cap as key factors behind the layoffs.
“The college has experienced a significant decline in enrolment over the past year,” the notice stated, pointing to the shifting landscape of post-secondary education in the province.
Despite the financial strain leading to job cuts, Conestoga College President John Tibbits received a substantial salary increase in 2024. According to the Sunshine List released on March 31, Tibbits’ earnings rose by 28.5 per cent, bringing his total annual compensation to over $636,000.
This latest development adds to the growing concerns about the impact of policy changes and enrolment trends on Ontario’s post-secondary institutions.
