What’s happening at Kwantlen Polytechnic University?
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) has announced it will issue full or partial layoff notices to approximately 70 faculty members by the end of this week. The layoffs are largely concentrated in the arts and business faculties and come in response to a sharp decline in international student enrollment.
- The university cites a projected $49 million drop in international tuition and fee revenue for the 2026 fiscal year.
- KPU expects 1,500 fewer international students in the next fiscal year, on top of 2,000 fewer this year.
The decline follows the Canadian federal government’s decision to cap international student permits over the next two years.
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Official statements and context
KPU provost and vice-president academic Diane Purvey described the situation as a direct result of federal policy changes.
- “We have been starved in terms of our funding and we were encouraged to look to international students to diversify our student population,” Purvey told CBC News.
- “And now with the collapse of the international revenue, through the policy decisions of the federal government, we’re struggling.”
The university is also reducing overtime, reviewing new hires, and cutting discretionary spending as part of its cost-containment measures.
Industry reaction
KPU is one of the largest post-secondary institutions in British Columbia to announce faculty layoffs directly tied to the reduction in international student permits. Other universities in the province, including Simon Fraser University and the University of Victoria, report revenue concerns but have not yet implemented layoffs.
Capilano University’s vice-president of finance and administration, Tally Bains, commented on their approach to the shortfall:
- “While layoffs are one of many options, we hope to mitigate this with other actions such as stricter controls on discretionary spending, pausing projects, and reviewing posting of vacant positions.”
Next steps for KPU staff
If you’re fired or let go by KPU, understanding your legal rights is crucial.
Non-unionized employees in B.C. are entitled to severance pay. The amount you’re owed is based on a variety of factors, including your role, tenure, age, and ability to find similar work.
WATCH: Employment lawyer Lior Samfiru delves into severance pay on an episode of the Employment Law Show.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Compensation: Severance packages, which can be as much as 24 months’ pay, may include salary, bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation. Use our firm’s free Severance Pay Calculator to better understand your entitlements.
- Deadlines: You generally have up to two years from the date of your termination to review and negotiate severance offers.
- Action steps: Consult an employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP to ensure your severance package is fair and aligns with Canadian employment laws.
Major employers slashing staff
KPU’s plan to scale back the size of its faculty comes amid a flurry of job cuts in 2025.
Big names, including Starbucks, JPMorgan, Chevron, Vale, Meta, Canada Post, Workday, ADM, Amazon, Shopify, Stripe, BP, Microsoft, Hudson’s Bay, and Wayfair, have pulled out the axe as they continue to navigate challenging economic conditions.
SEE ALSO
• ‘We lost our agility’: Estée Lauder planning to slash up to 7,000 jobs
• Canada’s immigration department slashing workforce by 25%
• Where are layoffs happening in Canada?
Lost your job? Contact us
If you’re fired or let go from KPU for any reason, the experienced employment law team at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP can help.
Our local Vancouver employment lawyers, serving all of British Columbia, have secured severance packages for thousands of non-unionized individuals.
Call us today at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.
⛔ Unionized Employees: You must consult your union representative regarding termination, severance pay, and other workplace issues. These matters are governed by your collective bargaining agreement. By law, employment layers can’t represent unionized employees with these issues.
