Peterborough’s post-secondary institutions are in crisis.
As federal immigration policy shifts with the winds, colleges and universities are now watching a major revenue generator – international student enrolments – evaporate before their very eyes. Financial sustainability is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.
Despite having entrusted a Conservative MPP to represent our riding, Trent University and Fleming College have been all but abandoned by the Ford government.
Peterborough residents are worried. Our home-grown institutions are major contributors to our local economy; they help our businesses survive and increase our local tax base. Moreover, Trent and Fleming attract skilled workers, advance incredible research, form partnerships with industry, and attract bright minds to our hometown.
Despite these benefits, our MPP seems determined to look away while our institutions signal that they are in deep trouble.
Trent University is responding to a projected $31 million deficit for 2026-2027, with steep budget reductions and notable job cuts. Longtime workers are worried for their families, friends and co-workers. Community members and students are concerned about how the institution will maintain service moving forward.
(photo of the Otonabee River from Trent University’s West Bank)
Fleming College has wrestled with financial challenges so severe over the last several years that the institution has opted for a first-of-its-kind merger with Kingston’s St. Lawrence College. The future of our college is murky at best – with Peterborough’s local autonomy over the institution fading away.
To make matters worse, students are also decrying the government’s decision to restructure the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) to offer low income students fewer grants and heftier loans should they choose to attend post-secondary in the future.
Given that our two stalwart institutions are undoubtedly in survival mode, I took it upon myself to contact MPP Dave Smith to gauge his thoughts on these matters.
I was seeking a self-evaluation from Dave on his government’s work relating to post-secondary education in Ontario.
I asked him three questions, to which I received three replies, as follows:
Question: I would appreciate if you could let me know what you think of the government’s announcement to restructure OSAP.
Answer (MPP Smith): “OSAP changes were the right decision”
Question: I am also curious if you feel that enough is being done for [post-secondary] institutions.
Answer (MPP Smith): “Yes.”
Question: Do you feel Fleming and Trent are thriving under your recent funding announcement and that the province’s current funding formula is sustainable for post-secondary institutions?
Answer (MPP Smith): “Yes.”
You can be forgiven if you think I am being curt and paraphrasing my elected representative’s responses. Alas, I am disheartened to inform you, reader, that this is the extent of the engagement I received from my MPP.
Mr. Smith’s response is devoid of any acknowledgement of the hardship his local institutions are up against. Fleming’s merger signals that its leaders – for whatever reasons – felt it could no longer operate as a self-sufficient and self-sustaining institution. Trent is staring down a major budget deficit with a grim fiscal outlook. And yet, our local elected representative is content to tow the party line while workers, students, and community members are left to piece together how they fit into an uncertain future.
I encourage MPP Smith to step out and speak with some of the hundreds of community members who have attended the education rallies outside of his constituency office. I have been to three of them, and each time I have been moved by the concerns of students and workers who are trying desperately to have their voices heard.
If only our leader would listen. Maybe then he will come to the realization that Trent and Fleming aren’t thriving. Maybe then he will understand that these institutions hold deep value to his constituents. Maybe then he will decide to be an advocate for higher education. It’s clear our community needs one.
Adam
Progress Peterborough 
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