Saskatchewan Polytechnic announces layoffs

Saskatchewan Polytechnic announced Thursday that it is laying off 27 employees.

"This includes 13 faculty, 10 professional services employees and four out of scope employees. These changes represent one per cent of Sask Polytech's workforce," the school said in a statement.

It said the decision came after an operational review "to ensure program alignment with current market demand, operating efficiencies and budget accountability."

"Like post-secondary institutions across Canada, Sask Polytech is facing a decrease in international student enrolment and reduction in revenues, which directly impacts programming and budgets," the statement said. It also cited uncertainty around tariffs.

It did not specify what positions, departments or programs are affected.

International student enrolment has been down in Saskatchewan, due at least partially to the federal government cutting down on the number of visas it issues.

More than a year ago, the federal government announced a 35-per-cent reduction in study permits, marking one of the first major reductions in Canada's permanent and temporary immigration targets.

International students pay much higher tuition fees than their domestic counterparts, which has left post-secondary institutions struggling to fill that hole and decide which programs and services they can live without.

The University of Regina said earlier this year that the number of newly admitted international students "has declined significantly," more than 50 per cent this winter term compared to January 2024.

University of Saskatchewan officials said at the time that preliminary numbers suggest a 20 per cent decrease in new international students.

Michelle Downton, president of the Sask Polytechnic Faculty Association (SPFA), said the association is always disappointed to see any reductions in the workforce.

"We believe that we are a leading organization that provides excellent education across the province and nationally," she said. "Although we have seen reduction to some of our membership, we are working collaboratively with management to find places for the people that have been impacted."