B.C. Post-Secondary Institutions Cut 1,300+ Staff as Foreign Student Decline Drains $300M Annually

NewsData.io · United States · Sep 2, 2026

British Columbia colleges and universities have dismissed or laid off more than 1,300 faculty and staff and cut over 180 programs since the federal government capped international study permits in January 2024. The province has seen a 66% decline in approved international students—from roughly 97,000 in 2023 to 32,596 in 2026—creating an estimated $300 million annual revenue shortfall across the sector. Institutions such as Langara College, Vancouver Community College, and the University of the Fraser Valley have been hardest hit, while larger research universities like UBC and SFU report more financial stability due to diversified funding. The contraction signals reduced demand for contract academic and administrative staffing across B.C.'s post-secondary sector, with further cuts likely pending release of an unreleased government sustainability report.