Kitchener, Ontario

Conestoga College completed a layoff round in March 2026 affecting nearly 400 full-time employees, with 181 faculty members and 197 support staff either leaving or transitioning to part-time work. The union president indicated this was devastating for affected employees and suggested additional job cuts may follow.

Conestoga College cut nearly 400 full-time staff positions in March 2026, including 181 faculty members and 197 support staff who either left the college or were forced into part-time roles. This represents one of the largest Ontario college layoffs on record.

Conestoga College laid off 181 full-time faculty positions effective March 16, 2026, with the majority of cuts (143 employees) occurring at the Kitchener Doon campus. The layoffs are attributed to financial troubles resulting from a significant drop in international student enrollment, following a 20,000 student decline after federal international student caps were implemented.

Kitchener Public Library announced a restructuring that will result in 5 layoffs while simultaneously creating 4 new full-time positions and 1 new part-time position. The union representing library workers warns that the changes will reduce the number of staff overseeing community programs from 36 to 12 full-time roles, potentially impacting library services and specialized programs.

Conestoga College suspended multiple programs due to low enrollment numbers, resulting in layoff notices being issued to 11 full-time faculty members and 2 counsellors. The college also reduced its counselling staff from 10 to 7 positions, affecting student mental health services.

Conestoga College eliminated four senior executive positions with a collective annual salary of $1.2 million, including both deans of the School of Interdisciplinary and School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts, as well as the senior vice president academic and students. The restructuring also impacted nine other senior positions and comes as the college navigates financial challenges stemming from a 48% decrease in international student enrollment due to federal study permit restrictions.

Conestoga College is laying off at least 190 staff and suspending 82 programs due to a 48% drop in international student enrollment caused by the federal international study permit cap. This is part of a broader crisis affecting Ontario's 24 public colleges, with over 10,000 faculty and staff being laid off or projected to lose their jobs across the province.