In the face of $35M deficit, Fanshawe College president calls on province to increase funding

Fanshawe College (CTV News File Photo)

The president of Fanshawe College says mass program cuts are on the table - along with layoffs.

In a town hall address to staff on Wednesday, Fanshawe College President Peter Devlin said that the school faces a $35 million deficit this year and $60 million in 2026 because of the federal government’s cap on international students.

“Our international enrollment will have gone down from it’s peak… by 64 per cent, and our overall enrollment will have gone down over 30 per cent,” said Devlin.

The school’s president called on the provincial government to step up funding.

“The lowest funding in the country happens here in Ontario - the most prosperous province gets [expletive] funding,” said Devlin. “For a student we get $6,891, the average in Canada is $15,615. So, there’s an election tomorrow – vote, please vote.”

A formal hiring freeze went into effect this week, and an early retirement program will be implemented in March.