Following the recent announcement about program suspensions at St. Lawrence College (SLC), faculty members associated with programs that are no longer available have been informed that their positions have ended.
A statement from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Local 417 indicates that 28 full-time faculty members across Kingston, Brockville, and Cornwall campuses have lost their jobs. Additionally, 16 faculty members were involuntarily moved to different programs or SLC locations.
OPSEU noted that these actions come on top of numerous partial-load faculty position losses in the past year and are a direct result of ongoing program suspensions and changes driven by the college’s “Efficiency Audit.”
The union expressed concern over the timing of these cuts, especially as they coincide with a newly announced merger between SLC and Fleming College.
In its release, OPSEU highlighted that the effects are particularly felt at Brockville and Cornwall campuses where libraries have been replaced by book vending machines. Programs impacted include Business, General Arts & Science, Music Theatre – Performance, Visual and Creative Arts, Police Foundations, Personal Support Worker living classroom offerings, and Mental Wellness & Addictions Worker. In Kingston, suspended programs include Culinary Skills, Child & Youth Care, Health Information Management, User Experience Design, Digital Marketing Communications, along with several trades apprenticeships like Brick & Stone Mason and General Machinist.
“The scale of these reductions raises important questions about long-term planning and the future direction of the college,” said Christina Decarie, President of SLC Faculty Local 417.
“Students and communities are already feeling the effects of these decisions. Our concern is that short-term financial pressures are being addressed through cuts that will have long-term consequences for access, quality, and regional workforce development.”
An email sent to faculty and staff at SLC from Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of SLC mentioned that after the Winter 2026 semester ends; employment will be terminated for faculty tied to programs being phased out or those needing better financial performance.
“While the timing may feel sudden, these changes reflect difficult decisions made some time ago to better align our academic offerings with enrolment levels, labour market needs, and long-term financial sustainability,” Vollebregt stated in his email.
He emphasized two key points. The first was to clarify that layoffs do not reflect on the “dedication, professionalism or contributions” of affected faculty members but rather stem from broader circumstances impacting programs.
“They served our students and our college with commitment and care – in many cases for several years – and this outcome is not a result of their performance or the quality of graduates they helped produce,” he added.
The second point he made was regarding clarity that these changes aren’t linked to either recently announced integration plans with Fleming College or any planned restructuring efforts.
“Our priority in this was to treat impacted colleagues with respect and compassion while working alongside our union partners to honor obligations outlined in the faculty collective bargaining agreement,” Vollebregt shared.
“I am grateful for everyone involved who showed respect during this process.”
Local 417 acknowledged wider financial challenges facing colleges in Ontario such as chronic underfunding along with recent shifts concerning international student enrolment. However they pointed out warnings given years ago by sector experts including an Auditor General who cautioned in 2021 about risks arising from reliance on international tuition fees.
“Despite these warnings colleges throughout Ontario continued expanding non-academic administrative structures while leaning heavily on precarious contracts for frontline educators,” stated Local 417.
“Local 417 urges provincial government action aimed at stabilizing college systems through restoration plus increased base operating funding supporting program continuity ensuring students gain access well-resourced learning environments.”
The union argued sustainable investment is vital for public colleges’ roles as contributors toward economic stability within Ontario’s social framework.
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In response to inquiries from Kingstonist regarding layoffs happening at SLC recently released a statement reiterating previous sentiments emphasizing how layoff measures weren’t associated whatsoever towards forthcoming integrations involving Fleming College nor related structural adjustments taking place soon thereafter.
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Vollebregt mentioned earlier announcements made back January suggesting impending suspensions affecting thirty-six various academic programs intended returning onto stable footing financially speaking following alterations stemming federal policy shifts impacting overall enrolees entirely.
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With conclusion Winter Semester Twenty-Sixteen having arrived-those whose employment hinged upon aforementioned educational tracks previously established must now seek alternative job options outside institution wherein notice had been provided appropriately beforehand based primarily upon confidentiality matters prevailing throughout discussions held privately amongst stakeholders directly engaged within negotiations respectively.![]()
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The union argued sustainable investment is vital for public colleges’ roles as contributors toward economic stability within Ontario’s social framework.
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