SASKATOON – The opposition New Democrats are blaming government underfunding for new layoff notices at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
In a news release the NDP says they have been told by the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association that Saskatchewan Polytechnic is facing a significant budget shortfall due to a massive reduction in international students, which they say the school had used to compensate for insufficient levels of provincial funding. The NDP are accusing the government of having blown a $14-15 million hole in their budget. They are also pointing to layoffs of 27 staff earlier this year.
The NDP also is claiming the Sask. Party cut funding for advanced education by $6 million overall in the most recent budget.
“Education is key to building a strong economy for the future and giving our kids good opportunities here at home,” said Tajinder Grewal, the NDP critic for Advanced Education, in a statement.
“To be a world leader in mining, business, tech and more, our province needs a strong SaskPoly. Vibrant and thriving post-secondary schools are a major part of how we keep our young people — our future leaders — here at home and build a bright future for Saskatchewan.”
In an op-ed piece earlier this year, Dr. Larry Rosia, CEO of Sask Polytechnic, pointed to the systemic barriers polytechnics face.
He pointed to funding models that still favour traditional research universities, even as employers demand applied skills and job-ready graduates, labour mobility remaining constrained by provincial credentialing rules, and immigration caps that have curtailed international student enrolment.
“It’s time for policy to catch up with reality – and to recognize polytechnics as essential infrastructure for economic resilience,” Rosia stated.
In a statement, the Sask Party government provided this response, which points to federal changes to the International Student program as having an impact.
"Saskatchewan Polytechnic along with other post-secondary institutions across Canada are making these kinds of difficult decisions because of the changes to the International Student program the Federal Government has made which have reduced student enrolment.
"The Government of Saskatchewan has been and continues to advocate for our post-secondary institutions to the federal government on this issue.
"We continue to be committed to a strong post-secondary sector in our province ensuring exceptional training opportunities for our students to help provide them a bright future right here in Saskatchewan."
