March 14 2025
Recent immigration policy changes have shone a light on longstanding challenges in Canada’s post-secondary education (PSE) system.
The federal government’s cap on international student study permits and restrictions on the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) program has led to a sudden drop in enrolments, which is having a disruptive impact on our public PSE system. Colleges and universities are implementing hiring freezes and even layoffs, cutting services, and suspending or eliminating programs, with colleges being hit the hardest.
This has exposed PSE institutions’ growing reliance on student fees, particularly from international students, as a source of revenue. Public funding has declined as a portion of colleges and universities’ budgets in recent decades. The cost of attending PSE has steadily risen, and there has been a rise in precarious employment in the PSE sector.
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), which represents workers at public colleges and at some universities, is calling on governments to act. NUPGE echoes the demands of our Components, such as OPSEU/SEFPO, for provincial governments to take responsibility for their role. And we call on the federal government to:
- Provide emergency funding to public colleges and universities to prevent cuts;
- Make more programs at public colleges available for the PGWP, recognizing local labour market needs;
- Support international students and graduates in Canada, ensuring they have a pathway to permanent immigration status;
- Create a dedicated funding transfer for PSE and a law establishing national standards to ensure the funding goes to a public PSE system that is accessible to all.
Our public PSE institutions, and the workers who keep them running, are invaluable parts of our communities and overall economy. Governments must take action to not only respond to the current crisis but also ensure a strong PSE system for the future.
Join the campaign: www.savepostsecondary.ca