Former Officials Rally to Save Perth College

More than 15 years after pledging millions for Algonquin College’s Perth campus, John Milloy never thought he’d see it on the brink of closure. 

The provincial and federal governments jointly contributed $9 million to the campus in 2009.

Milloy and John Baird – both former government ministers – made that announcement, describing it as a “targeted commitment to the community of Perth and the surrounding region.”

The campus, which is currently up for sale, is scheduled to shut down this summer in an effort to address tens of millions in losses for the college, along with other cuts that were announced last year.

“I completely understand that … all colleges are dealing with significant financial issues right now, but that Algonquin would just close it down and sell it – that was not what we intended when we made the announcement back in 2009,” Milloy, a former provincial colleges and universities minister, told in an interview. 

“This was meant to be something lasting.”

A joint letter sent to current Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn on Dec. 19, which advocates shared with this week, highlighted that the funding from 2009 aimed at providing accessible, quality education for rural students while boosting local economic growth and supporting skilled trades.

The former ministers hope there will still be some heritage trades training available at the site, suggesting local resident Toby Shannon or a former Shopify executive as potential operators.

“Algonquin’s plans [risk] wasting a legacy that has produced graduates who have worked at restoring Parliament Hill and other national treasures while making Ontario’s skilled trades shortage worse in a region already lacking post-secondary options,” read the letter. 

Courses moving to Ottawa

The college’s president and CEO Claude Brulé attributed these cuts to the federal government’s reduction of international student permits as well as limitations on tuition fees set by the province.

A college executive stated in February 2025 that Perth campus was facing an expected deficit of $2.1 million against a budget of $3.3 million for that fiscal year.

Perth’s business, health, and trades programs will be transferred to Ottawa’s campus.

“Forcing students to go to Ottawa for those programs goes against its original purpose,” Milloy said.

“I understand Algonquin needs funding, but students deserve access to this kind of training.”

John Milloy, right, in a file photo from 2013. He was a Liberal colleges and universities minister in 2009 when the provincial and federal governments spent a combined $9 million on Algonquin College’s Perth campus. (CBC)

Cathy Mc Nally, a former professor at Perth campus agrees with this sentiment, highlighting how its closure would significantly impact the community.

“When you see how much it contributes by bringing jobs and offering post-secondary education in rural areas like Perth, there’s definitely a sense of loss. I think everyone felt it throughout the community,” said Mc Nally who is now serving as director of community services with Town of Perth. 

Province claims no involvement in sale

Both Milloy and Baird are urging provincial authorities to step in and stop any sale aimed at privatizing what they consider a “public asset [the campus] for market-driven development.”

A spokesperson for Quinn clarified on Thursday that the province isn’t involved with selling off the campus since it’s an independent legal entity run by Algonquin College itself.

The spokesperson added that decisions regarding closing down or selling off Perth campus were made solely by Algonquin College itself.

“We will continue collaborating closely with Algonquin College so students across eastern Ontario can access high-quality education near their homes while ensuring local businesses find well-trained workers,” read their statement.

According to school officials, CBRE Limited is handling property sales on behalf of Algonquin College.

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