Layoffs and program closures at Lethbridge Polytechnic

A total of 53 employees are part of the latest group of layoffs at Lethbridge Polytechnic, who have been or will be laid off by June 30. This measure follows the closure of the Commercial Greenhouse Technician Certificate, Educational Assistant Diploma, Health Care Aid certificate, Agricultural Science diploma and the Agriculture Sciences diploma, Animal Sciences major programs, as well as the closure of the Centre of Excellence in Aquaculture. The announcement was made by the Polytechnic’s president and CEO, Brad Donaldson, who explained this is due to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada policies, which decreases the number of international students, significantly reducing Polytechnic’s revenue. Donaldson said the institution is facing a budget deficit of approximately $8 million.

The Polytechnic announced 19 layoffs in January. The 53 layoffs announced today bring the total to 72. Their employment ends at the end of June.