Conestoga College announced the termination of 32 full-time faculty members on Monday, following the issuance of layoff notices to over 550 employees by the end of 2025. Additionally, the college canceled several programs.
In an email sent by Norma McDonald Ewing, the interim president of Conestoga College, faculty members were informed about the latest round of layoffs. Ewing emphasized the seriousness of the decision, attributing it to a significant decline in international enrollment over the past two years, leading to lower overall student enrollment and decreased demand for various programs.
The decision for layoffs was deemed necessary after conducting a comprehensive review of the college’s operational and financial needs. Employees who received layoff notices will continue to work and be compensated for 90 days from the notice date, with their final paychecks expected in late November.
President of Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 237, Leopold Koff, expressed concerns about the lack of transparency from Conestoga College, making it challenging to anticipate future developments. Koff highlighted the uncertainty surrounding potential further layoffs and criticized the college for a historical lack of transparency in communication.
While acknowledging the anticipation of future layoffs due to program closures, Koff emphasized the union’s preparedness for such measures as part of the college’s cost reduction strategy through layoffs.
CBC News sought comments from Conestoga College regarding the union’s transparency concerns and the possibility of additional faculty layoffs in the future but has not received a response yet. In the email to all staff members, the interim president acknowledged the difficult decisions as crucial for the college’s long-term sustainability and expressed gratitude for the contributions of the affected employees to the students and the college community.