President and CEO of Loyalist College, Mark Kirkpatrick, delivered a delegation to Quinte West City Council on Wednesday outlining the challenges that Loyalist and other rural colleges face.
In late January, an email was circulated to staff announcing an indefinite intake suspension for 30 per cent of programs beginning in the fall of 2025.
It cited chronic underfunding by the province, along with the federal cap on international students leading to a projected $40 million reduction in international student revenue, along with an $8 million decrease in 2026-27.
A 20 per cent reduction in staffing was also projected.
In a delegation to council, Kirkpatrick spoke of two sources of funding the college receives that has been greatly impacted.
“We have two sources of funding, a grant which has been frozen for a decade and nominally increased the decade before and it’s not per-student funding and tuition, which was cut by 10% and frozen at 2015 levels. So in essence, we’re running a business on 2015 revenue,” Kirkpatrick told council.
He says there is a significant impact to the local economies due to the cuts made by Loyalist.
“The economic impact of the cuts go deep and wide as Loyalist is so integrated in the regional economies and in the social fabric of where we live,” Kirkpatrick explained.
“We project the impact of this one announcement will result in a one per cent reduction in the regional GDP. Many staff live in Quinte West, as do many students, and they will no longer have that ability to spend anymore. They either won’t be here or they’ll be without a job.”
Kirkpatrick says changes need to be made by governments on funding, alluding to the two sources of funding that have been impacted.
“I understand the desire to keep tuition low and make it affordable for the taxpayer, however, this is quickly becoming a benefit for those that live in larger cities, as only those locations will have the variety of programming for the youth to take locally.”
Following the delegation, many councillors expressed their disappointment over receiving the news about the state of the college with many citing their own personal experiences either as a student or teaching at Loyalist.
Councillor David McCue said he would be willing to put together a letter lending the municipality’s support for the college.
“It seems like we’re banging our head against the wall. We don’t see any results, but it’s just another thing that we could do collectively, on behalf of the citizens here in Quinte West and for all of Hastings County that you represent at the school. Would that help?” Councillor McCue asked.
“We haven’t got any money to give you unfortunately, I know you’re looking for moral support. We could do it that way. If that would be beneficial, I’d be more than happy at some point to have a motion put on that we have a letter sent to both the federal (and provincial government). I’m sure they’re well aware of it, but sometimes a squeaky wheel gets oiled if we bang it up.”
Quinte West Acting CAO and Director of Public Works and Environmental Services Chris Angelo says staff will put together a resolution with input from Loyalist College and then bring that resolution to council at its March 5 meeting.
