JASON SETNYK
St. Lawrence College is facing renewed union scrutiny following layoffs affecting 28 full-time faculty members across its Cornwall, Brockville, and Kingston campuses, along with 16 involuntary transfers tied to program changes. The reductions, outlined in a media release from St. Lawrence College Faculty Local 417, come amid ongoing program suspensions linked to the college’s “Efficiency Audit.”
The union says the layoffs follow a broader pattern of cuts, including the loss of partial-load positions and more than 100 support staff roles since 2024. Several programs across disciplines, from health care and trades to arts and business, have been suspended, while some student services have also been reduced. At the Brockville and Cornwall campuses, libraries have been replaced with self-serve options, including book vending machines.
“The scale of these reductions raises important questions about long-term planning and the future direction of the college,” said Christina Decarie, president of Local 417. “Students and communities are already feeling the effects of these decisions. Our concern is that short-term financial pressures are being addressed through cuts that will have long-term consequences for access, quality, and regional workforce development.”
According to Local 417, concerns have intensified, with more than 70 faculty, staff, students, and residents gathering in Cornwall last week, calling for greater transparency, particularly as the cuts coincide with the recently announced integration process between St. Lawrence College and Fleming College.
In a statement, SLC President and CEO Glenn Vollebregt said the layoffs stem from earlier decisions tied to enrolment and financial pressures. “With the conclusion of the Winter 2026 semester, faculty whose roles were tied to programs being taught out, or to programs requiring improved financial performance, have been informed that their employment with SLC has ended,” he said.
Vollebregt added that the layoffs are not connected to the Fleming integration. “These changes reflect difficult decisions made some time ago to better align our academic offerings with enrolment levels, labour market needs, and long-term financial sustainability,” he said, noting the college remains focused on preparing students for the workforce.
Local 417 acknowledged broader financial challenges across Ontario’s college sector, including funding constraints and declining international enrolment, but argued that earlier warnings about financial risks were not adequately addressed. The union also pointed to what it describes as an overreliance on precarious contracts for educators while administrative structures expanded.
The union maintains that the suspended programs are critical to regional labour markets in southeastern Ontario, warning that reductions in areas such as health care, community services, trades, and digital media could have lasting impacts on employers and local economies.
Local 417 is urging the provincial government to strengthen the college system by restoring and increasing base operating funding, maintaining program continuity, and ensuring students have access to well-resourced learning environments. The union says sustained investment is critical to preserving the role of public colleges as key contributors to Ontario’s economic and social well-being.
In 2026, the Government of Ontario announced a $6.4-billion, four-year investment in colleges and universities to improve financial stability and expand capacity. The plan includes about a six per cent increase in per-student funding, up to 70,000 new spaces in high-demand programs, and a return to modest tuition increases after years of freezes.
The announcement follows prolonged financial strain across the sector. While institutions welcomed the funding, some faculty and advocacy groups said it may still fall short of addressing long-term underfunding and ongoing financial pressures.
L’article More SLC layoffs announced, Cornwall campus impacted est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
