B.C. is launching an independent review of the post-secondary education system as colleges and universities across the province struggle to balance budgets amid economic headwinds and dwindling enrolment.<\/p>\n
Federal reductions in international study permits, global inflation and declining domestic enrolment have all contributed to the current financial malaise.<\/p>\n
“I’ve heard clearly that the current system is not sustainable,” said Jessie Sunner, B.C.’s post-secondary education and future skills minister. “Institutions are facing serious financial challenges.”<\/p>\n
She said the province must have a skilled workforce to deliver economic prosperity and drive growth — but because B.C. is “not in a position” to provide additional funding, the aim is to ensure current resources are being “utilized in the best way possible.”<\/p>\n
B.C. faces a projected budget deficit of $11.6 billion this year. A portion of post-secondary funding comes from the province, while the rest comes from tuition and grants.<\/p>\n
Don Avison, a former Emily Carr art school board chair and former B.C. deputy minister, will lead the review, with a final report and recommendations due on March 15, 2026.<\/p>\n
He is tasked with examining the operations, program delivery and financial sustainability of all 25 post-secondary institutions in B.C. This includes 11 universities, 11 colleges and three institutes.<\/p>\n
Federal reduction in international student visas<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunner blamed many of the problems on the federal government for making what she called “unilateral” decisions to reduce international student visas. Those students provide a big financial boost for schools through higher fees.<\/p>\n The federal government first reduced the number of visas in 2024, with further cuts included in the most recent federal budget, which passed on Nov. 17.<\/p>\n “We need to be a part of those conversations,” Sunner said. “We need to determine what the needs of B.C. are together.”<\/p>\n B.C. government data show international student tuition is about 18 per cent of overall sector revenue, but at some individual institutions it can be as high as 40 per cent.<\/p>\n The B.C Federation of Students was at the legislature in October advocating for the province to increase funding to at least 75 per cent of operating budgets.<\/p>\n Since the decrease in the number of student visas, the federation says 80 programs have been cut, suspended or paused across the province. Chairperson Debi Herrera Lira expressed concerns that tuition increases may follow.<\/p>\n “Students can’t afford to spend any more than they already are, especially on fees for significantly reduced services and less course sections,” Herrera Lira said in a news release.<\/p>\n Systemwide financial difficulties<\/strong><\/p>\n Sunner would not say which schools are in the worst shape. Most have been forced to cut at least some programming in response to lost revenue.<\/p>\n “There are schools that are doing a bit better than others, but across the entire sector, there are projected deficits,” she said.<\/p>\n Selkirk College and Vancouver Island University are two schools that have endured problems dealing with well-publicized recent budget deficits.<\/p>\n Selkirk has laid off staff and cut programs, including closing the Kaslo and Nakusp learning centres and the Kootenay Studio Arts program.<\/p>\n Students from Vancouver Island University were out protesting earlier this fall, with a “Cuts Suck. Fix Education” campaign following a slew of program cancellations.<\/p>\n Larger schools such as the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria have also felt the strain from reduced enrolment, but have largely remained in the black with targeted cuts.<\/p>\n Sunner singled out trades training as an area of particular need, with significant waitlists and institutions unsure whether they can deliver. She said this is why B.C. has boosted funding for trades training by $241 million over the next three years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Review comes in response to financial pressures resulting from fewer international students and inflation <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":160624,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-160610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-regional-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n