More than 15 years after announcing millions of dollars for Algonquin College’s Perth campus, John Milloy never thought he would see it at risk of closing.
The provincial and federal governments together invested $9 million into the campus in 2009.
Milloy and John Baird – both former government ministers – made that announcement, which they now describe as a “targeted commitment to the community of Perth and the surrounding region.”
The campus, currently for sale, is set to shut down this summer to help reduce tens of millions of dollars in losses for the college, among other cuts shared last year.
“I totally understand that … all colleges are facing huge financial constraints right now, but that Algonquin would simply shut it down and sell it – that was not the point of the announcement that was made in 2009,” Milloy, a former provincial colleges and universities minister, told in an interview.
“This was supposed to be something that would be there permanently.”
A joint letter sent on Dec. 19 to current Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn-and shared with by advocates this week-stated that the funding from 2009 aimed to provide accessible, high-quality education for rural students, stimulate economic growth in the area, and support skilled trades.
The former ministers want some heritage trades training to remain there, proposing local resident Toby Shannon as a possible operator along with his experience at Shopify.
“Algonquin’s plans [risk] squandering 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,” the letter stated.
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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 too; she emphasizes its closure will greatly impact the community.
“When you see how much it helps bring jobs and post-secondary education opportunities to rural areas like Perth, there’s definitely going through a grieving process. I think everyone felt it across our community,” said Mc Nally who is now serving as director of community services with Town of Perth.
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Courses moving to Ottawa
The college’s president and CEO Claude Brulé attributed the cuts to changes from the federal government regarding international student permits and limits set by the province on tuition fees. An executive from the college mentioned in February 2025 that the Perth campus faced a projected deficit of $2.1 million against a $3.3 million budget for that fiscal year. Perth’s business, health, and trades programs will be transferred to Ottawa’s campus. “To force students to go to Ottawa to take those programs is taking away from its original intention,” Milloy said. “I get it that Algonquin needs funds, but students also need access to this sort of training.”Province says it has no role in sale
Both Milloy and Baird are urging provincial officials to step in so any sale won’t privatize this “public asset [the campus] for market-driven development.” A spokesperson for Quinn stated Thursday that since Algonquin College operates independently as an entity, there’s no role for them regarding its sale. They added that decisions about closing or selling off Perth campus were made by Algonquin College itself. “We will continue working closely with Algonquin College ensuring students in eastern Ontario have great educational access close by while helping local businesses find well-trained workers,” read their statement. According to school representatives CBRE Limited is overseeing property sales on behalf of Algonquin College.Source link
