Conestoga College layoffs 150+ full-time support employees

Conestoga College has recently laid off over 150+ full-time support staff due to a significant decline in international student enrollment. This downturn follows federal policy changes aimed at curbing the aggressive recruitment of foreign students by Canadian institutions.

Vikkie Poirier, president of OPSEU Local 238 said:

"The faculty cannot do their job without the support staff. The deans, the chairs, the admin — they can't do their job without the support of the support staff,"

These latest layoffs at Conestoga College came in after a memo that was signed by the college's President, John Tibbits, was sent out to share that many jobs at the college have now been eliminated.

Conestoga College's international student population had surged dramatically over the past decade, increasing by more than 1,500% since 2014 and comprising up to 81% of total enrollment.

This growth contributed to substantial financial gains, with the college reporting a surplus exceeding $100 million in the 2022–23 fiscal year.

However, this rapid expansion attracted criticism. In 2023, federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller warned institutions like Conestoga against exploitative practices, emphasizing that generating large surpluses should not be the primary mission of educational institutions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also expressed concerns about colleges profiting excessively from international students and is aiming for changes.

Internally, the college faced scrutiny over its recruitment strategies and the quality of education provided. Faculty and staff raised concerns about admitting students lacking fundamental skills and the institution's reliance on international enrollment for financial stability.

• Despite these issues, in 2025, the college announced a 30% salary increase for President John Tibbits, raising his compensation to nearly $640,000, coinciding with the staff layoffs.

This situation underscores the risks of overdependence on international student fees and highlights the need for educational institutions to balance financial objectives with their core mission of providing quality education.