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Message from �þ���Ƶ President Neil Fassina:

As everyone across our college community is aware, post-secondary institutions across the country are facing a degree of uncertainty right now. �þ���Ƶ is no exception.

Although �þ���Ƶ enjoys a strong history in this region – of over sixty years – we are feeling the impacts of new federal immigration policies, rising costs and unknowns in the economy, and changing student enrolment.

When our enrolment goes up and it is possible to add capacity, we expand by hiring team members and creating new sections or cohorts. Unfortunately, when enrolment decreases, we must be ready to take steps to reduce our workforce accordingly. Failing to act risks our ability to be financially and operationally sustainable.

This week, 35 employees who work in Arts and Foundational �þ���Ƶ and the School of Business will be advised that their positions are at risk of being eliminated later this year.

It is important to understand that it is not a layoff notification. There is no immediate impact or change to the notified employees’ positions at �þ���Ƶ.

This step allows the College to work with employees and our unions as we explore additional ways to mitigate layoffs. It is part of our commitment to transparency and working in collaboration as we navigate our current environment.

It is important to be clear that we are working hard to reduce potential layoffs, and that this work takes time and must follow due process.

To current students, I want to be very clear: there will be no changes to your classes this semester, and no changes that impact your ability to complete your program. All of us at �þ���Ƶ share a commitment to you to continue supporting you in your studies and as you learn with us.

To our �þ���Ƶ community: please know that all of us at �þ���Ƶ are working hard to reduce the potential for job loss, through strategies that include offering early retirement incentives, job sharing, and not filling existing vacancies. Our team members across the region are exceptional people, and we value their contributions to the College and our local communities.

We know the coming months will be difficult as our summer and fall enrolment picture becomes more clear and we understand the full extent of its impact. At the same time, we have already pivoted and added new student recruitment strategies, both domestically and abroad.

We are also reviewing our program mix and considering new opportunities to offer local students – aligning with local labour market needs. While we don’t expect our challenges to be resolved overnight, we remain confident in �þ���Ƶ’s future.

There is no question that what we are going through together now is challenging and has real impacts on our College. It requires us to make difficult decisions and changes, and at the same time, we have strong support throughout the region from other educational partners, local governments, businesses and organizations who consider �þ���Ƶ important to the communities we serve.

Most importantly, we remain committed to our students – today and into the future. �þ���Ƶ is truly an exceptional place, made up of people who care deeply and who believe in the potential of each person who comes to �þ���Ƶ to learn.

President Neil Fassina