Kwantlen Polytechnic University in B.C. to cut 70 faculty positions

What’s happening at Kwantlen Polytechnic University?

Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has announced it will issue full or partial layoff notices to approximately 70 faculty members by the end of this week. The layoffs are largely concentrated in the arts and business faculties and come in response to a sharp decline in international student enrollment.

• The university cites a projected $49 million drop in international tuition and fee revenue for the 2026 fiscal year.
• KPU expects 1,500 fewer international students in the next fiscal year, on top of 2,000 fewer this year.

The decline follows the Canadian federal government’s decision to cap international student permits over the next two years.

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Official statements and context

KPU provost and vice-president academic Diane Purvey described the situation as a direct result of federal policy changes.

• “We have been starved in terms of our funding and we were encouraged to look to international students to diversify our student population,” Purvey told CBC News.
• “And now with the collapse of the international revenue, through the policy decisions of the federal government, we’re struggling.”

The university is also reducing overtime, reviewing new hires, and cutting discretionary spending as part of its cost-containment measures.

Industry reaction

KPU is one of the largest post-secondary institutions in British Columbia to announce faculty layoffs directly tied to the reduction in international student permits. Other universities in the province, including Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria, report revenue concerns but have not yet implemented layoffs.

Capilano University’s vice-president of finance and administration, Tally Bains, commented on their approach to the shortfall:

• “While layoffs are one of many options, we hope to mitigate this with other actions such as stricter controls on discretionary spending, pausing projects, and reviewing posting of vacant positions.”

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