St. Lawrence College Brockville hit hard by layoffs and program cuts

This is partially due to a big drop in international student enrollment

St. Lawrence College’s Brockville campus is feeling the impact of widespread cuts across Ontario’s college system.

Programs have been suspended or cancelled, and staff positions have been eliminated as the school deals with major financial challenges.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union says nearly 10,000 college faculty and staff province-wide have already lost their jobs or are expected to soon.

Many of those affected are at smaller campuses like Brockville, where students rely on local access to job training and education.

A steep drop in international student enrolment has led to reduced tuition revenue, forcing colleges to scale back. 

At St. Lawrence College, the spring brought a wave of program changes, and more adjustments are expected through 2025.

Essential programs in health, social services, and technology are among those affected. 

The changes are raising concerns about long-term impacts on education, employment, and access to training opportunities in Eastern Ontario communities.