Holland College suspends 8 programs, citing drop in revenue caused by foreign student caps

Prince Edward Island's biggest community college is phasing out eight programs for the coming school year because of a drop in revenue from "a sharp decrease in the college's international student enrolment." 

Holland College says three other programs are being downsized because enrolment numbers have dropped. Those programs were not named in a statement issued late Friday afternoon by the college, which has its main campus in Charlottetown but also operates in Summerside, Alberton and Georgetown. 

"This is a very difficult day for the college and all our staff," Holland College president and CEO Sandy MacDonald told CBC News. "There hasn't been this number of layoffs or suspensions of programs in the history of the college. We don't have enough students to make it financially viable."

He said their numbers are going from a high of 800 international students to a projected 140 students by September 2026.  

"To lose 660 students — it can't help but affect programs."'

The cuts will affect 35 staff members, the college's statement said, adding: "Those who are affected have been notified, and the college is working to ensure that they are supported as they transition."

MacDonald said the positions include teaching staff, lab staff and corporate positions such as people in finance, HR and recruiting.

Dealing with uncertainty as changes loom for P.E.I.'s international student population

1 year ago

Duration 2:40

Post-secondary schools on Prince Edward Island are answering as many questions as they can for international students trying to understand recent federal changes meant to cap numbers. They're also working with the province to deal with the new limits.

Students already on Prince Edward Island and enrolled in the eight programs being dropped will be able to finish their second year, but no new students will be accepted for September, the college said. 

The eight affected programs are:

• Project Management Post Graduate Certificate.
• Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management.
• Tourism, Travel, and Event Management.
• Marketing and Advertising Management.
• Electronics Engineering Technology.
• Energy Systems Engineering Technology.
• Architectural Technology.
• Legal Administration.

The Legal Administration program has been offered out of the Summerside Waterfront Campus; the other seven have been located in Charlottetown. 

The college estimates that it's facing an 83 per cent decrease in its foreign student enrolment because of two federal moves in 2024 design to decrease pressure on Canada's housing markets. The result for Holland College is "$7 million in lost tuition and fees annually," the statement said.

UPEI president on what the new international student caps mean for the university

7 months ago

Duration 6:51

UPEI president Wendy Rodgers says universities across Canada will have to readjust budgets and rethink enrolment numbers as Ottawa cuts back on the number of international students coming to Canada. As for UPEI, Rodgers tells CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin that there are no cuts coming to programs in the short term, but the school does need to look at its recruitment and retention plans for the future.

The first federal measure was a cap on the number of study permits that can be issued overall in Canada, with each post-secondary institution allowed to offer only so many admission letters. 

As well, Holland College said, "in order to be eligible for a post-graduation work permit, students must have graduated from a program that has been deemed to be in a field where there is a labour force shortage.

"Fewer than half of Holland College's programs have been deemed to be an acceptable field of study by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and programs that are not approved are less attractive to international students," the statement said.

"Although domestic enrolment may increase slightly, the increase cannot cover the losses the college will suffer because of IRCC's policy changes." 

Holland College said it was talking with the provincial government about its funding model after receiving extra money from that source last year, but would also need to take action on other fronts to reduce costs.

"These measures include a reduction in program staffing and administrative positions and attrition through retirements and vacant positions," the statement said.

"We are also engaged in energy-saving measures across our campuses to reduce utilities expenses, vendor contract negotiations to secure better rates and terms, and streamlining administrative processes to improve efficiency and reduce redundancy."