Ontario Colleges Nearing 10K Job Losses Amid Steep Enrolment Decline
What’s Happening?
A new report claims that Ontario’s public colleges have axed nearly 10,000 jobs and suspended/cancelled around 600 programs as they grapple with a steep decline in international enrolment.
“Our communities are paying the cost of a crisis manufactured by provincial underfunding — and workers are prepared to build the provincial, coordinated fightback we need to realize a better college system,” the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) said in a recent release on the findings.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence, and Security denied claims that the province has deliberately underfunded post-secondary education to create a crisis — pointing to its recent investment in STEM programs.
SEE ALSO
• Georgian College to Shutter Collingwood Campus Indefinitely in September
• Mohawk College Slashes Dozens of Jobs, Second Cut of 2025
• ‘Devastating’: Fanshawe College Cutting 400 Positions in 2025
Severance Rights for Non-Unionized Employees
If you work for one of Ontario’s public colleges, understanding your legal rights is crucial as the sector continues to experience significant job losses.
Non-unionized employees who are fired or let go are entitled to severance pay. This includes individuals working full-time, part-time, or hourly in the province.
The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.
📺 WATCH: Everything You Need to Know About Severance Pay
Key Severance Facts:
- 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 2 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.
Lost Your Job? Contact Us
If you’ve lost your job at one of Ontario’s public colleges, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.
Our lawyers have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals in the province resolve their workplace issues.
Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
You must consult your union representative regarding termination, severance pay, and other workplace issues. By law, employment lawyers can’t represent unionized employees with these issues. They’re governed by your collective bargaining agreement.
Disclaimer: The materials provided in this article are for general informational purposes only and DO NOT constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a legal representative at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP.
About the Author
Lior Samfiru
Lior Samfiru is a Founding Partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and the Practice Leader of the firm’s Labour & Employment Law Group. Known for his advocacy and success representing both employees and employers, Lior exclusively serves clients in Ontario, where his extensive experience has made him one of Canada’s most sought-after employment lawyers.
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