Humber Polytechnic restructures leadership as board resigns amid budget crisis

What’s going on at Humber Polytechnic?

Humber Polytechnic is undergoing major restructuring — quietly removing two senior executives, confronting a $50M budget gap, and managing the fallout from nine board resignations — as it adapts to sector-wide financial and enrolment pressures.

President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan confirmed that efficiency reviews and organizational restructuring are underway, affecting executive portfolios and internal operations.

Key leadership exits

• Jason Hunter and Kelly Jackson, both VPs, were let go in October 2024 amid restructuring.
• Their portfolios were redistributed. Glenn Craney was later appointed as VP and special advisor to the president — a new role tied to Humber’s rebranding.
• No public notice was issued about Hunter’s exit.

Governance shakeup

• In January 2025, Ontario launched a third-party review of Humber’s governance.
• Days later, nine board members, including the chair and vice-chair, resigned, citing constraints that prevented proper oversight.
• While no formal link was made to the executive departures, both events raised transparency concerns.

What we know about the restructuring

Vaughan says the changes are driven by a $50M budget shortfall and the need to integrate planning, enrolment, and finance.

Faculty union president Milos Vasic raised transparency concerns, saying requests for an updated org chart were denied. Former president Robert A. “Squee” Gordon called the VP removals ethically questionable, citing lack of a public search or committee process.

SEE ALSO
• Georgian College cuts 45 staff due to ‘systemic underfunding’
• Seneca trims workforce in March, long-service staff affected
• Mohawk College slashes dozens of jobs, second cut of 2025
• Tariffs in Canada: News, Layoffs, and Employee Rights

Next steps for staff at Humber

If you’re a non-unionized employee who was fired or let go from Humber Polytechnic, understanding your legal rights is crucial.

Non-unionized employees in Canada are entitled to full severance pay — The amount you’re owed depends on your age, position, length of service, and ability to find similar work.

WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
• Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
• Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.

Major employers slashing staff

The planned workforce reduction at Humber Polytechnic comes amid a flurry of job cuts at other post-secondary institutions in 2025.

Other colleges and universities, including University of Windsor, Centennial, George Brown, Georgian, Mohawk, Fanshawe, Sheridan, Seneca, Langara, and Kwantlen Polytechnic have also pulled out the axe.

SEE ALSO
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?

Lost your job? Contact us

If you’re fired or let go from Humber Polytechnic for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.

Our lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues.

Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is not specific to any one company and SHOULD NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.