‘Course Closures’: Canada’s Study Visa Cuts Hit Colleges

by The_unmuteenglish

Toronto, 31 January 2025: Canada’s decision to reduce study visas by 40% is beginning to reshape the country’s college landscape, particularly affecting institutions popular among Punjabi students.

Several colleges are now cutting programs, laying off staff, or shutting down campuses.

Centennial College in Toronto has announced it will suspend new enrollment in 49 full-time programs across its summer and winter 2025 semesters, as well as fall 2026.

Impacted programs include journalism, financial planning, technology foundations, and community development.

The college stated the decision was made to ensure long-term stability but acknowledged significant effects on faculty, staff, and students. Despite the cuts, 128 full-time programs will remain open, with a possibility of resuming postponed courses.

Algonquin College is set to close its Perth city campus by 2026, a move Perth Mayor Judy Brown called a “huge loss” for rural educational opportunities.

Sheridan College has suspended 40 programs, Seneca College has temporarily closed its Markham campus, and Mohawk College plans to cut 20% of its administrative staff and cancel 16 programs by 2025.

“If there are no students, how will colleges pay the faculty?” said Canadian visa expert Parvinder Singh, adding that the crisis in colleges is worsening, with its impact now clearly visible.

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