BY SIMONE J. SMITH
There have been recent events, including faculty labour disputes, potential strikes, and ongoing arbitration, that are a portion of the larger issues impacting students in our colleges. When administrative staff are reduced, when students face the threat of losing their faculty, or when they have experienced faculty strikes in the past, the consequences for their education, mental health, and future opportunities are significant.
While faculty labour disputes and strike threats make headlines, they are just the tip of the iceberg of larger systemic issues that have and continue to fail students. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a broader trend in which students are constantly facing the risk of losing their faculty, declines in administrative support, and the regrettable ripple effect of previous disruptions to their education.
Founded in 2022 by a group of passionate student leaders determined to amplify the voices of college students, Ontario Student Voices has grown into a powerful advocacy organization. Representing 125,000 college and polytechnic students across the province they are advocating for a change: a student-first approach emphasizing investing in education and direct support for students. Over the past two years, they have collaborated with outstanding student leaders to consistently represent the perspectives of college students. Their focus – driving thoughtful, impactful change that truly benefits the student community.
“Ontario is the lowest funded province in Canada. If colleges don’t get funded, then what? Do they just close?”
The issues within the system aren’t just theoretical—they represent real barriers in the daily lives of students. OSV believes it’s time to tackle these challenges by increasing funding for colleges, ensuring stability, and giving students a genuine voice in shaping their education. The question here is, what are our college students dealing with?
- Disrupted education: Lack of sufficient funding and labour disputes leading to: instability, loss of vital programs, and inconsistent scheduling, leaving students struggling to keep up with their academic progress.
- Limited support services: Loss or reduced administrative staff resulting in fewer resources for students to navigate their educational and professional paths, prompting a despairing domino effect, impacting everything from academic advising to mental health support.
- A shrinking future: Cuts and instability in the postsecondary system threaten Ontario’s ability to prepare students for the anticipated 100,000 skilled workers needed by 2030.
I had a chance to speak with the Executive Director at OSV, Lynn Courville, and what she had to share with me was shocking.
“What is going on is very stressful to students. Every day, every week, who knows what next. With the federal caps, it has made Canada a less desirable choice for international students. There are a lot of unanswered questions.”
“You are supposed to be able to attend a university in your community, now, you have to travel and relocate just to receive higher education. How do students do this with the economy the way that it is?”
“It falls on the government. For far too long we have relied on international students to fund our university. It is on the government to step in. Mohawk had to cut 127 staff members last month, and 102 were full time support staff, which accounts for 20% of their full-time support staff.”
Who is picking up that slack? What happens when those support staff burn out?
“Make post-secondary funding on the top of their list,” Lynn tells me passionately. “Ontario is the lowest funded province in Canada. If colleges don’t get funded, then what? Do they just close?”
It is a great question. With the election around the corner, it might be something for parents to consider.
