You may have noticed that an increasing number of Ontario colleges have announced significant program cuts recently. While the IRCC restrictions on international study permits initiated much of this, the underlying issue is much more straightforward and equally easy to resolve.
The province of Ontario has been underfunding the PSE system for years. To alleviate this and continue to provide the programs and services that industry and Ontarians have been asking for, colleges turned to international students who came here for the quality education and opportunities our sector has become known for. Now, with reduced international students, colleges face a severely under-supported system, one that is funded at 44% of the national average.
The college sector is now taking the time to reflect on and thoroughly review the international student situation, its core offerings, and fiduciary responsibilities, which I believe is a positive development. Unfortunately, we arrived at this point not through discussion and collaboration but because the IRCC's actions resemble swatting a fly with a sledgehammer.
The IRCC changes do not currently impact Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) and pilot training. I am grateful for this, and I plan to work assiduously to advance our programs and promote these courses and our school to support our students and the national industry we serve. Many other programs are not as fortunate, as some colleges are now cutting between 20 to over 40 percent of their offerings. This will significantly affect our province.
Here’s an aviation example. If you operate an airport, are a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), or manage a hangar, you may have AMEs and pilots for your aircraft, but who will address your plumbing, electrical, or IT issues? Who will service your ground support equipment, greet your customers, or clean your facility? This applies not just at work but at home, too! The answer lies with the people who would be coming from the programs that are being cut.
These cuts will worsen the existing personnel shortage across many sectors of the economy. If adequate and consistent support does not arrive soon, the number of trades, restaurants, and various other services will suffer. The economic advantages of properly supporting Ontario colleges and post-secondary education (PSE) as a whole have been consistently demonstrated and were highlighted in the recent Ontario government blue ribbon panel.
If everything I just wrote is not concerning enough, we now face the possibility of a prolonged tariff war with the United States. This will severely impact some industries and potentially have catastrophic effects on others. Many may need to seek new employment, which will likely only be found in sectors outside their current experience. This means many individuals will be looking for new or updated training to continue supporting themselves and their families. And who is going to provide much of that upskilling? That’s right, colleges and the PSE sector.
This is why now, more than ever, it is vital for the provincial government to reverse its current path and adequately support the PSE sector, enabling us to excel in the work we are world-renowned for and help stabilize and advance our province and country during this time of great uncertainty.
I urge you to consider this in the upcoming provincial election. This issue reaches far beyond the PSE community. It affects each of us. It relates to aspects of our daily lives, our future prosperity, and the overall well-being of our province. Your choice at the ballot box can help create a better future for everyone.
