I am writing to share information on the latest announcements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and to provide an update on what the federal government’s sweeping set of changes over the past 10 months to Canada’s international student program means for Niagara College.
Most recently, IRCC announced further changes, restricting future eligibility for post-graduate work permits (PGWP) for college students to those studying in a specific list of designated programs. This is a significant development, as the opportunity to gain Canadian work experience after graduation is a key driver of demand from international applicants. It’s also important – and very disappointing – to note that this change in PGWP eligibility was applied only to colleges, reflecting an ongoing approach at the federal level favouring university credentials over career-driven industry-responsive college programs.
The list released by IRCC on October 4 of PGWP-eligible college programs excludes key labour sectors in Niagara that are experiencing years-long workforce shortages. We do not understand the rationale behind this list, which was compiled without any consultation regarding the economic needs of employers and our local community, whom we are mandated to serve.
While we continue to evaluate the long-term impacts of these changes on our enrolments and budgets, we are also fully engaged in sustained government advocacy for policies that better recognize the value of colleges and the workforce needs of the communities we serve.
What it means for NC
We are already seeing the effects of the IRCC announcements in our Fall 2024 enrolment numbers, which fell below the targets identified in our 2024-2025 Business Plan and Budget. While we saw an increase in domestic enrolment thanks to new programs, expanded capacity in some existing programs and strategic investments in domestic marketing and recruitment, these gains were offset by a decrease in international enrolment, particularly in level one. This decrease is in line with sector-wide trends and reflects the uncertainty the IRCC changes are creating for international applicants, and the harm that is being done to Canada’s brand in the global postsecondary marketplace.
Given the significant downturn in international demand and the most recent changes to PGWP program eligibility, we expect our international enrolment for Winter 2025 will fall below budget targets as well, creating a roll-through effect on future enrolments.
Due to changes in work permit eligibility related to public-private partnerships, enrolment has also decreased significantly at Niagara College Toronto (NCT) and we do not anticipate changes to this trend. Previously, strong demand for Niagara College programs offered at NCT contributed significantly to Niagara College’s surplus budget position, enabling investments at our Niagara-based campuses and savings for our planned capital expansion projects.
While we remain optimistic that we can meet the financial targets in our 2024-2025 Business Plan and Budget, the significant federal policy changes have created a high level of uncertainty for 2025-2026 and beyond, from both enrolment and financial perspectives.
Financial prudence, entrepreneurial thinking and an innovative spirit are woven throughout our organization and have helped us weather challenges and uncertainty before; we’ll depend on these characteristics again as we navigate this new set of challenges.
Moving forward, we will need to be smart, selective and strategic in setting priorities and in managing budgets. We will continue investments in domestic recruitment, program expansions where there is strong student demand, and in developing new programs that align with student and employer demand. We will also need to continue to be entrepreneurial in identifying new sources of revenue, and work to ensure the success of our Together campaign – the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in our college’s history – to generate donor funds for our campuses and our students. In addition, I have asked all Vice Presidents to carefully review new expenditures and financial commitments.
We remain committed to supporting our strategic goals and student success with the creation of new and renewed spaces at our campuses through BuildNC, although we anticipate adjustments to some project timelines, with a priority focus on projects that support enrolment growth.
We’re all advocates for NC
Our employees have always been the best ambassadors for our college and telling the Niagara College story has never been more important as we advocate for our college and the communities we serve. Given last week’s announcement, we need to highlight the important role that we play in our community and beyond. At the same time, we must push for specific actions that protect our students and our ability to attract and graduate students who fill key labour-market needs in our community and drive economic sustainability and growth in Niagara.
Specifically, we will be tireless in our government relations efforts to advocate for:
- equal treatment by the federal government of colleges and universities by deeming all college degree and post-graduate credentials PGWP-eligible;
- expansion of the list of PGWP-eligible programs to reflect critical regional and provincial workforce needs.
Please watch for further updates as this situation continues to evolve. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your Manager, Dean or Director.
Navigating uncharted waters is nothing new for NC; in recent years we’ve adapted to some of the largest challenges and disruptions in our history, and thanks to our resilience and our collective entrepreneurial and innovative spirit we’ve managed to emerge stronger than ever, and in many cases ahead of our sector. This latest period of uncertainty will test us again and I have every confidence in our team’s ability to persevere once more.
