Four Algonquin College Pembroke campus programs are among 37 that will be suspended as part of efforts to mitigate the institution’s financial struggles.
The college announced on Tuesday, Feb. 11 that it is recommending the suspension of the programs, effective fall 2025, to the board of governors at its Feb. 24, meeting.
“This includes 31 program suspensions and six campus-specific program offering suspensions, representing 16 per cent of the College’s programs of study,” reads a press release. “If approved by the Board, no new students will be admitted to these programs starting Fall 2025. Current and Spring 2025 students will be able to complete their studies, provided they meet all the necessary academic requirements.”
Tuesday morning, affected professors were given the news in advance of the information becoming public.
The Pembroke programs include: Outdoor Adventure Naturalist; Police Foundations; Regulatory Affairs – Sciences; and Water and Wastewater Technician.
Other affected courses are construction, business, technology, arts and media, and hospitality-related.
“Algonquin College, along with the entire post-secondary education sector, is facing unprecedented financial challenges. This is due in part to a prolonged and ongoing provincial government tuition freeze, chronic underfunding, and recent federal government immigration policy changes that negatively impact international enrolments,” reads the release.
Officials say the college needs to take immediate and substantial action to address a “perilous fiscal situation.”
Without intervention, Algonquin College will incur a budget deficit, on a cash flow basis, of at least $60 million in 2025-2026, rising to $93 million by 2026-2027.
Earlier this year, news broke that Algonquin College will close its Perth campus by August 2026.
(Sherry Haaima)