1500 10th Ave East, Prince Albert (Image Credit - Saskatchewan Polytechnic Facebook)

By Susan McNeil

Sask Poly layoffs

Sask. Polytech confirms layoffs as a result of lower immigration numbers

Aug 8, 2025 | 4:00 PM

A ‘significant decline’ in international student registration has led to the layoff of 14 staff at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

The school, which has campuses across Saskatchewan with one in Prince Albert, will also not fill eight empty positions. Put together, the reduction is about 10 per cent of the school’s out-of-scope employees.

“We will continue to invest resources to provide maximum benefit to our students. This includes ongoing reviews of operating efficiencies and budget accountability. More difficult decisions will be necessary in the months ahead,” said the statement.

The reduction in international student enrolment led to a revenue shortfall for the 2025-26 academic year, the school said in a statement sent to paNOW.

According to information shared by the provincial NDP, the layoffs are the result of a $15 million shortfall for the post-secondary institution.

Panhandler a success

Panhandler Charity Golf Classic raises $90K for NRHF End-of-Life Campaign

Aug 27, 2025

LOCAL TALENT

'I got the best crew': Jay Peeaychew leads Black Bear Indian Relay to 2026 Calgary Stampede spot with Medicine Hat win

Aug 27, 2025

Summer Games Medal Recap

Team Sask takes home 48 medals in Summer Games

Aug 26, 2025

Tajinder Grewal, the shadow minister for Advanced Education, said the problem is underfunding by the province.

“This is our future at stake and the Sask. Party doesn’t seem to care,” said Tajinder Grewal, Saskatchewan NDP Advanced Education Shadow Minister. “Good post-secondary schools providing a quality education to young people — our future leaders — is a big part of how we build our economy, end the healthcare crisis, and so much more.”

In a news release, Grewal said he’s heard that Sask Poly may lay off and leave vacant more than 100 existing positions before all is said and done. He said consultations with other schools indicate they, too, will be forced to cut.

“The Minister is before the media this morning — if he truly cares about Saskatchewan’s future, he will step up to the microphone and immediately announce he’s going to restore funding for Saskatchewan post-secondary schools.”

It is not the first time the school has laid off employees. In 2018, 22 staff were laid off, plus 20 more people volunteered to leave.

As before, no details were shared as to which programs or campuses will see the staff reductions in order to protect their privacy.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social