Toronto College Faces Program Cuts and Workforce Reductions Amid Enrollment Decline

Centennial College in Toronto is making significant adjustments to its offerings for Fall 2025, including pausing certain programs and reducing its workforce. This comes as the institution struggles with lower enrollment numbers, which it attributes to changes in federal policies and ongoing financial pressures from provincial underfunding.

Michelle Ervin, a spokesperson for Centennial College, emphasized that the recent changes are part of a larger strategy to better align educational programs with evolving labour market needs while ensuring financial sustainability. “These steps are crucial to the future of the college, and we are committed to supporting affected students,” Ervin said in a statement. The college has paused intake for several programs, though current students will be allowed to complete their studies. The programs may reopen should future policy changes or increased funding offer more stability.

In addition to program cuts, the college is reducing its staff in response to the financial challenges. Centennial stated that it has been carefully evaluating its resources and aligning them with institutional priorities to maintain long-term stability. The college acknowledged the difficult impact of these decisions on employees and thanked them for their dedication.

The latest cuts come on the heels of Centennial’s announcement in late 2024 that 49 of its full-time programs would not admit new students for the 2025-2026 academic year. Additionally, the Story Arts Centre campus in East York is being closed, and its programs will be consolidated at the main Progress Avenue site.

Despite these challenges, Centennial remains committed to providing over 100 high-quality programs, ensuring students receive valuable, career-oriented education across fields like business, healthcare, and engineering.