Larissa Kurz
Regina Leader-Post
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has announced more layoffs, bringing the total number over the past year to 181.
The post-secondary institution issued layoff notices to 30 full- and part-time employees this month, including 18 faculty, nine professional services workers and three out-of-scope staff members, according to an April 15 statement posted to Sask Polytech’s website.
A spokesperson for the school, which has multiple campuses across Saskatchewan, said a total of 154 full- and part-time employees have been laid off since July 2025. Another 27 were let go in April 2025.
Sask Polytech has attributed all 181 layoffs to budget constraints.
The spokesperson directed the Regina Leader-Post to a statement posted online for further information.
It says this latest wave of cuts is the result of an annual operational review into “labour market demands, operational efficiencies and budget priorities.”
“This is a challenging time for Sask Polytech and these decisions are not made lightly,” reads the statement. “Throughout this period, our focus is on our students and on our mission, to inspire success in every learning journey.”
It also notes that Sask Polytech is still experiencing “significant challenges in the international education environment.” The institution has previously said federal immigration policy changes have led to declining tuition revenues.
“A rebound in international enrolment is not expected next academic year,” the statement adds.
Michelle Downton, president of the Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association, said this ongoing sweep of pink slips is causing much anxiety among staff and “impacting morale across the organization,” including with students.
“It’s really having a chilling effect within the faculty. I hear from people; they’re worried about whether their course is going to be discontinued, whether they’re going to have employment in the future,” she said on Friday.
“It is incredibly challenging to endure this level of uncertainty as a result of political and administrative decisions.”
As many as 30 programs have been discontinued due to low enrolment and cost in the last year, she added.
Sask Polytech declined to disclose what positions, departments or programs will be affected by these new cuts “out of respect for employees.”
Of the 23 staff laid off in February, 13 positions were based at the Prince Albert campus. The remaining 10 were from the larger Regina and Saskatoon campuses.
The moves resulted in plans to relocate an electronic systems engineering technology program to Saskatoon from Moose Jaw for the 2026-27 academic year.
— with files from Roberta Young, Alec Salloum
