KPU Announces New Round of Layoffs as International Student Enrollment Plummets
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is preparing to announce another significant round of layoffs this week, with unionized employees expected to be affected across various departments. The latest workforce reductions come as the Metro Vancouver institution continues to struggle with dramatically declining international student numbers that have thrown the university's financial planning into disarray.
Unionized Employees Face Workforce Reductions
This week's layoffs will specifically impact employees represented by the B.C. General Employees' Union, according to university communications. Acting president Diane Purvey sent a staff memo on Tuesday indicating that layoff notifications would begin on Thursday, with follow-up meetings scheduled for the following week to discuss transition arrangements and next steps for affected staff members.
While the exact number of positions being eliminated remains undisclosed, a source familiar with the situation told media that the layoffs would be "across the board," suggesting widespread impact throughout the university's operations. This represents the latest in a series of difficult financial decisions the institution has been forced to make as it confronts a mounting budgetary crisis.
International Enrollment Decline Creates Financial Crisis
The layoffs directly result from a sharp decline in international student enrollment that has severely impacted the university's revenue streams. In fiscal year 2026, KPU reported that international student enrollment had fallen by nearly 4,500 students compared to fiscal year 2024 levels. This dramatic decrease coincides with the federal government's implementation of caps on student visa issuances, which has significantly reduced the number of international students able to study in Canada.
"We expect a further reduction of almost 1,000 international students by fiscal year 2027," wrote acting president Diane Purvey in her memo to staff. "By FY27, estimated international student revenue is set to be down by $88 million from the FY24 budget."
The financial impact is compounded by the fact that domestic enrollment has remained essentially flat, providing insufficient revenue to offset the losses from declining international student numbers. This combination of factors has created what university administrators describe as a perfect storm of financial challenges.
Previous Cost-Cutting Measures Prove Insufficient
Last year, KPU projected a $49 million revenue loss for fiscal year 2026, prompting the institution to implement several austerity measures. These included:
- Reductions in administrative, faculty, and union positions
- A freeze on overtime and discretionary spending
- Elimination of 20 vacant positions, saving approximately $2.6 million
- Cutting discretionary non-salary costs from the budget, saving $3.3 million
- Not renewing temporary contracts, adding another $4 million in savings
These measures were intended to achieve a $5 million reduction target for the 2025-2026 budget, equivalent to eliminating 40 to 45 full-time positions. However, the continued decline in international student enrollment has necessitated further workforce reductions beyond what was previously anticipated.
Leadership Questions Add to Institutional Uncertainty
Compounding the financial challenges, the KPU community continues to face uncertainty regarding institutional leadership. Newly hired president Bruce Choy, who assumed the position in September, has been absent for multiple weeks without formal communication about his whereabouts or status.
According to Kwantlen Faculty Association president Mark Diotte, there has been "no formal communication regarding his multi-week absence or of any appointment of an acting president." A note sent to faculty members last month indicated that Choy had cancelled scheduled meetings and that his official installation as president had been postponed indefinitely.
This leadership vacuum adds another layer of complexity to an already challenging situation for the university community. Acting president Diane Purvey acknowledged the difficult circumstances in her memo, writing: "This is a challenging moment for KPU, and I am mindful of the real impact behind these decisions. Thank you for the care you continue to show our students and each other, even amid uncertainty."
The coming weeks will reveal the full extent of the layoffs and how KPU plans to navigate its ongoing financial challenges while maintaining educational quality for both domestic and remaining international students.
