Post-secondary instructors rally in Vancouver against federal cap on international students

Dozens of post-secondary instructors and staff protested at the Vancouver Art Gallery against the federal cap on international student enrolment, which is part of an effort to address housing and healthcare issues in Canada. The restrictions have led to severe budget shortfalls, resulting in layoffs at institutions like Vancouver Community College (VCC), where over 60 staff members have already been let go. Taryn Thompson of the VCC Faculty Association criticized the government for creating a funding crisis after encouraging schools to rely on international student tuition. Faculty member Nahid Ghani, who received a layoff notice, highlighted the personal toll of the cuts, stating, “The federal government created this problem. ” The rally aimed to pressure both provincial and federal governments to provide emergency funding, allowing educational institutions time to develop sustainable plans.

Thompson emphasized that many smaller colleges lack the financial resources of larger universities like UBC. As cuts continue, concerns grow about the long-term viability of post-secondary education in the region. Without action, the sector may struggle to recover from the sudden changes imposed without consultation.