Conestoga College has announced another major round of layoffs, cutting 181 full-time faculty positions effective March 16, just one week before the Christmas holidays. Most of the job losses—143 positions—are concentrated at the Kitchener Doon campus, with the remainder spread across other campuses in Waterloo Region and nearby communities. These cuts follow earlier layoffs of at least 190 staff in 2024, including academic and support roles, along with the suspension of 82 programs and the closure of leased campuses in downtown Kitchener and Brantford.

The layoffs are tied to a sharp decline in international student enrolment after the federal government imposed caps on study permits. Conestoga, once Canada’s top institution for international student permits, saw enrolment drop by roughly 20,000 students. Similar pressures are being felt across Ontario, with colleges like Fanshawe and Mohawk offering buyouts or exit incentives amid declining enrolment.

The situation highlights broader instability in Canada’s post-secondary job market, where institutions that expanded rapidly to meet labour shortages are now downsizing. Unions say morale among remaining staff is at an all-time low, reflecting growing uncertainty for education workers nationwide

Have you been laid off by Conestoga College in Canada? Contact our employment lawyers today. Our legal team offers a free consultation and works on a contingency basis—there are no fees unless you win your case.

John Dalusong’s original article, “181 Conestoga College employees laid off ahead of the holidays” was published in CBC News on December 18, 2025. Read the Full CBC News story.

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