Saskatchewan Polytechnic has announced a second round of layoffs this year, sending notices to 14 out-of-scope employees and leaving eight vacant positions unfilled, as the institution struggles with declining international student enrolment and a projected $15 million budget shortfall for 2025–26. The school attributes the decline to federal immigration policies, including a cap on student visas, which have reduced tuition revenue from international students—who pay significantly higher fees than domestic students.

This follows 27 layoffs in April and comes amid broader post-secondary enrollment declines across Saskatchewan. Both the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan have reported significant drops in new international student numbers due to the visa cap. Saskatchewan Polytechnic employs roughly 2,000 full-time equivalent staff across campuses, and the current reductions raise concerns about the long-term viability of programs, student support, and educational quality, according to the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association.

For the Canadian job market, the layoffs highlight the financial vulnerability of post-secondary institutions heavily reliant on international tuition. They also underscore how federal immigration policy changes can ripple through provincial education systems and local employment, particularly in regions where colleges serve as major employers.

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Jeremy Warren's original article, “More layoffs hit Sask Polytechnic as international student enrolment drops” was published in CBC News on August 7, 2025. Read the Full CBC News story.