Algonquin College cutting 16 per cent of its programs

Tough times: Algonquin College has announced its cutting 36 programs — 16 per cent of the academics it offers — due to a multi-million-dollar deficit the school is facing.

The cause: President and CEO Claude Brulé said drastic measures are needed due to the federal government's decision to reduce international student permits and the province's caps on tuition fees. While some provincial grants are offered, the College said they don’t keep up with inflation.  

• "This is due in part to a prolonged and ongoing provincial government tuition freeze, chronic underfunding, and recent federal government immigration policy changes that negatively impact international enrolments. The College needs to take immediate and substantial action to address this perilous fiscal situation," Brulé wrote in a letter to staff.

By the numbers: If these measures were not taken, Algonquin would face a $60 million deficit during the 2025-2026 school year, which would rise by $93 million the following year. Even with the cuts, Brulé said the financial challenges are far from over. 

What happens to staff and students: Those in the impacted programs will have the opportunity to finish their program, though no new students will be enrolled in them starting September 2025. The recommended cuts also still need to be approved by the board of governors on Feb. 24. For staff, layoffs will be “unavoidable,” but buyouts and “modest financial incentives” will also be offered. 

Algonquin is not the only school facing cuts: Earlier this month, it was announced that 56 programs were being cut at St. Lawrence College, and a 30 per cent cut was also announced at Loyalist College. Algonquin also previously announced the closure of its Perth campus. 

The negative impact: As Algonquin College radio professor Dan Mellon pointed out on Facebook, ”students who live in those communities will now have to move to centres like Toronto / GTA to take these programs, where they could have lived at home two more years and saved money will now face $80,000+ costs to get a diploma due to cost of living.”

Reaction: Mellon, who’s taught the program since 2010 and is also a graduate of it, said, “the current funding model for Community Colleges is broken.”

• “The Radio Program was always more than just audio editing, recording, writing and performing. We all learned a lot about life, and there were many ups and downs. I am proud of what we were able to accomplish, and it always brought me great joy to see our students move on to successful jobs that they chose,” he said on Facebook.

Former Move 100 radio host Stuntman (Stu) Schwartz, who graduated from the radio program in 1997 alongside his wife, Connie Bernardi, said his daughter was planning to attend a Performing Arts program in the fall. It was also axed. 

• “If it wasn't for Algonquin and the program, I wouldn't have had 28 years in the radio biz, and wouldn't have met my wife. I think fondly of my former instructors Norm Wright, Iain Barrie and Don Crockford,” said Schwartz. “They not only taught me skills and prepared me for the industry, but they also provided me with much needed mentorship.”

A list of the programs being cut 

(A reminder they are still pending approval by the board of governors) 

Algonquin Centre for Construction Excellence (ACCE): Building Information Modelling — Lifecycle Management; Building Information Modelling — Lifecycle Management Canadian Context; Energy Management; and Business — Trades (online)

School of Advanced Technology (ATEC)

• Bachelor of Technology (Digital Health) (Honours); Digital Health; General Arts and Science — Aviation Management; Regulatory Affairs — Sciences; and Technical Writer. 

Faculty of Creative Arts and Media (FCAM): Brand Management; Brand Management (two-year); Broadcasting — Radio and Podcasting; Creative Industries Management; Interdisciplinary Studies in Human-Centred Design; Interior Decorating; Performing Arts; Photography — Content Creation; Professional Writing; Scriptwriting; Teachers of English as a Second/Foreign Language; and Visual Development for Entertainment. 

Cuts to Pembroke: Outdoor Adventure Naturalist; Police Foundations; Regulatory Affairs — Sciences; and Water and Wastewater Technician.